Seamus Coleman and Gareth Bale’s respective influences are undeniable.
It really says a lot about Seamus Coleman and Gareth Bale that they were both big talking points in a game they didn’t actually feature in. Even if they played no part in Monday night’s game in Cardiff, their presence was palpable.
The talismans missed out on the crunch 2018 World Cup qualifier through injury, but both showed up for the encounter to provide support for their compatriots.
Bale helplessly watched on from the stands as his team fell 1-0 to a spirited Republic of Ireland team. He appeared nervous before kick-off, but quickly settled as Wales really took the game to the visitors.
As much momentum as Wales had in the opening moments, they just couldn’t find the net. This clearly frustrated the injured Welsh star.
He was gritting his teeth as Hal Robson-Kanu was brilliantly denied by Darren “You Shall Not Pass” Randolph. His forceful header early on was stopped by an almighty acrobatic leap from the Irish goalkeeper.
The good times didn’t last too long for the Real Madrid star.
Once James McClean kept his composure to smash the ball home after that phenomenal assist Jeff Hendrick, his heart sank.
He was briefly jolted back to life when Jonathan Williams poorly-executed header in the closing moments went straight into McClean’s back.
This proved to be the last time the Welsh Dragons really threatened the Irish net.
One couldn’t fault Bale’s passion. He lived every moment of that game, the good and the bad. He grunted his way through every wayward pass and missed opportunity and felt the crushing blow of conceding the decisive goal.
It was his attire and where his ass was planted that had a lot of people talking though. His blazer and seat in the stands directly contrasted with Coleman sitting in the dugout proudly donning his Ireland gear.
Bale in a blazer in a box with his missus. Coleman in a trackie in a dugout with the lads. Talent can never equal class 🇮🇪 #COYBIG
— Cian Griffin (@cian__griffin) October 9, 2017
Bale in the stand in a suit yet Coleman, Long & Walters were in their tracksuits with the🇮🇪team #TogetherStronger ?pic.twitter.com/k9RmeXHZn6
— FAIfootballfans⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIFootballfans) October 9, 2017
Bale in the stand in his suit yet Coleman, Long and Walters were all in their tracksuits with the Irish team #TogetherStronger????#COYBIG
— Shane Browne (@skepticfella) October 9, 2017
Bale in the stands – Coleman, Walters, long, all with the team
– #COYBIG 🇮🇪🤙🏻 can't buy that kind of class— Carl Le Bault 🇮🇪🇯🇲🇸🇪 (@CarlosMaradonna) October 9, 2017
After the final whistle sounded, Coleman immediately took to the pitch to congratulate his teammates. He embraced the goalscoring hero McClean for putting in a superb shift in the Irish shirt.
There was also a lovely moment between Coleman and stand-in captain David Meyler at the end of the game. The Cork native claimed the Man of the Match accolade for his performance against the Welsh.
