Uruguay Have Some Great Players – Bale

Gareth Bale has said winning the China Cup with Wales would be a special trophy to add to his impressive collection.

Wales tasted success by reaching the semifinals of Euro 2016, but it is 81 years since the nation claimed its last outright title by winning the now-defunct British Home Championship in 1937.

“To win any trophy is always good,” Bale said ahead of Monday’s China Cup final against Uruguay in Nanning. “But for your country it’s that bit more special, it’s in your heart and your blood and you want to make the whole country proud.

“Whether it’s in a tournament like we are now, or in something like a World Cup, it’s always important to win trophies. It’ll be very high up [in his achievements] and we still have a lot of work to come. But we believe if we play well we can win the tournament.”

Bale became Wales’ record goal scorer with a hattrick in the 6-0 semifinal victory over China, moving one clear of Ian Rush on 29 goals.

But Bale said: “We know Uruguay have some great players, it’s not just Suarez. We know it’s going to be a difficult game, but we try not to concentrate too much on our opposition, it’s more about concentrating on us and what we can do.

“They have some fantastic players and that they’re going to be dangerous. We have to be wary of them, but they also have to worry about us.”

Wales manager Ryan Giggs is expected to name the team which swept aside China on Thursday.