Standing on stage as 800 Wales fans sang their national anthem before the starting whistle – you could literally feel their passion right to the core.

It was deafening inside Cardiff‘s Tramshed venue – and despite victory being a long-shot, they all genuinely believed their boys could do it.

Of course, in the end, it wasn’t to be.

But what was striking was that the passion, the singing, the pride, continued, even after their 3-0 thumping.

“I am gutted, gutted, we lost. But at the end of the day, it’s the first time that we’ve got to the World Cup since 1958,” Anthony told me, before shouting at the top of his voice: “Come on Wales – we love you!”

That Welsh loyalty was echoed by Kerry: “They’ve done so well. To be honest I’m proud of them. I’m Welsh, I’m loud, I’m proud! They’ve done their best.”

Their disappointing performances will be dissected in the days and weeks to come.

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But for many in Wales, this was about more than just this World Cup.

It was about inspiring the next generation of Welsh footballers, keen to follow in Bale and Ramsey’s footsteps:

“We’ll do better,” said Anthony.

“We’ve got a load of youngsters coming forward now, so let’s just carry on!”

As the venue emptied leaving hundreds of empty beer cans and the odd soaked Wales bucket hat on the floor, I asked him if it’ll be another 64-years till Wales play on the world stage again?

“No way, no way, we’ll qualify quite easily…”

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