Gareth Bale will not get special treatment from Cyprus - Christodoulou

 

Cyprus coach Charalampos Christodoulou says he has no special plans to stop Gareth Bale in Nicosia on Thursday.

Bale was the subject of some harsh treatment from the Cypriots when Wales beat them 2-1 in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Cardiff last October.

But Christodoulou disputed that his side were over-physical in that game and said his focus in the return fixture at Nicosia's GPS Stadium is on Wales, and not just on Real Madrid star Bale.

"I don't agree with (what's been said)," said Christodoulou. "If memory serves me right there were fouls from both teams in that game.

"In the first match it was Wales who ended playing with 10 players not Cyprus, we never play like this, we are not a dirty side that go above the limits.

"My team plays clean football, that's how we always play."

Asked about his plans for Bale, Christodoulou said: "Wales is not Bale, they are a very good team in general and we will focus on the whole team and not on Bale."

Cyprus could yet force their way back into qualification contention by beating Group B leaders Wales but they have been hit by suspension and injury problems.

George Efrem and Giorgos Merkis both miss out through injury, French-born midfielder Vincent Laban - who scored Cyprus' goal in Cardiff - is suspended and Dimitris Christofi will undergo a late fitness test.

"My players have realised the importance of the match," said Christodoulou.

"We will play with heart but sometimes we know that might not be enough.

"We have a very difficult game ahead of us, they are a very strong team and deserve to be first in the group.

"We are trying to make a team with young and experienced players to create a good team and I think we are in a good way to achieve that.

"It's important that we still have targets in the group at this stage. We have lost some important players with injuries but I am happy with the mentality of the young players called up.

"They are glad to be here and want to help the national team."