United States star Christian Pulisic says Gareth Bale will be ready for the USMNT’s tie with Wales at the World Cup. He also names the forward as the Cymru player ‘to watch out for’.
The USA open their Qatar 2022 campaign against Wales on November 21 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Gregg Berhalter’s team then meet England in Group B as Rob Page’s men take on Iran on the 25th. The two will then flip opponents for the last group games on the 29th.
- WORLD CUP: PULISIC AND TURNER IN THE USA’S BEST XI FROM QATAR 2022 SQUAD
- WORLD CUP: BALE AND RAMSEY IN WALES’ BEST XI FROM QATAR 2022 SQUAD
Bale’s involvement in the USA and Wales’ game has been in some doubt before the World Cup begins. The 33-year-old is yet to play a full 90 minutes over 14 appearances with LAFC since joining the MLS side in July. He has also only started twice for a total of 397 minutes.
But Bale has moved to ease any concerns that the Wales captain will have to play a limited role against the USA, Iran and England at the 2022 World Cup. He stated, via The Guardian: “I’m fully fit and ready to go. If I need to play three 90 minutes, I’ll play three 90s.”
Pulisic says Bale is the Wales star the USMNT must ‘watch out for’ at the World Cup
Bale flew to Qatar 2022 to represent Wales against the USA at the World Cup after scoring during LAFC’s MLS Cup final victory over Philadelphia Union on November 5. The five-time Champions League winner hit an equaliser in the 128th minute to send the tie to penalties.
The Cymru skipper’s trophy cabinet also features three La Liga titles from his career at Real Madrid. Now, Pulisic believes Bale’s experience will help ensure he is ready for Wales’ first World Cup appearance in 64 years when they face the USMNT at Qatar 2022 on Monday.
“He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about it, what he’s accomplished in his career,” Pulisic said, via The Sun. “He’s played at the highest level. He knows what it takes. I’m sure he’ll be ready. Whether he is at the absolute top of his game [or not], it doesn’t matter.
“I think he’s a great player and he’s something we have to watch out for. I think it’s been great for American soccer, another one happening playing in America and he’s had a successful season in the MLS.”
Bale was inspirational in Wales securing qualification for the 2022 World Cup via the UEFA Path A play-offs. The 108-cap star scored each of Cymru’s efforts to beat Austria 2-1 in the semi-final. Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko sent Bale’s free-kick into his own goal in the final.
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