Gareth Bale Wants World Cup For Wales As Ukrainian Sympathy Is Set Aside

Wales captain Gareth Bale said any sympathy with Ukraine will be forgotten on Sunday as he tries to lead his country to a World Cup for the first time since 1958. Ukraine beat Scotland 3-1 in an emotional encounter on Wednesday in their first competitive match since Russia's invasion to set up the play-off final in Cardiff. Bale picked up his fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid last weekend and was one of the heroes of Wales' remarkable run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. However, the 32-year-old has never played at a World Cup and may not get another chance.

"It's not coming from a horrible place, but we want to do it for our country, our own fans," said Bale on Saturday when asked if he felt conflicted facing a war-torn nation.

"Everybody in the whole world feels for Ukraine, but it's football. It's a competition, it's sport, it unites everybody.

"We understand what it would do for Ukraine, but we want to get to a World Cup."

Wales are unbeaten in 18 games at home and Bale is not expecting the atmosphere to be any less intimidating despite the unique circumstances surrounding the match.

"We'll be the most popular team in the stadium, that's the most important thing," he added on the worldwide support for Ukraine.

"Our hearts and everything goes out to the kids, the families, the people of Ukraine. We've felt awful and are not able to do too much. Tomorrow is a game a football and we want to win."

Bale scored twice as Rob Page's men beat Austria 2-1 in March to secure their place in the play-off final despite a lack of match fitness as he barely featured for Madrid last season.

He is now a free agent having left the Spanish giants and admitted to having "loads" of offers for where to play his club football