World Cup 2022: ‘Anyone but England’
Wales have waited 64 years to play at a World Cup. They didn't want to be in the same group as England. Wales drew their first World cup match for 64 year with a draw against the United States. Their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages were destroyed by a 2-0 defeat by Iran. Now they face England on Tuesday. Martin Johnes, professor of history at Swansea University, explains the history of football in Wales and the relationship with England, their oldest rivals. He says that football has always been more important to Wales than it has been to England but that the situation has changed.
Wales and England have a long-standing sporting rivalry. The two countries have won 39 rugby union titles each. Their daughter plays hockey for Wales. Wales are an underdog. Phil Bennett used to talk about this in a team talk before a match against England in 1977. Robert Page might not do that. The Welsh national anthem is an Odyssean protest song. It is called 'Yma o Hyd'. It translates to 'Still Here'. It was recorded for the World Cup. Dafydd Iwan's anthem was re-recorded for this tournament with the voices of Welsh fans.
