Gareth Bale describes Netherlands defeat as 'gutting' but urges Wales to learn from it
- Planet Sport writer
- 9 June 2022
Wales went down 2-1 in a dramatic Nations League defeat to the Netherlands, but Gareth Bales believes they will be better off for it in the long run.
Gareth Bale admitted that the Netherlands' last-gasp winner was 'gutting' for Wales, although he said it can be a learning experience.
Wales trailed for most of the Nations League clash in Cardiff, but they looked to have sneaked a draw then Ryan Norrington-Davies equalised in injury time.
However, the Welsh were unable to protect their point, and Burnley striker Wout Weghorst powered in a diving header to hand the Netherlands a 2-1 win.
The goal came about after a fine run from Frankie de Jong, and Wales captain Bale wondered if a little naivety cost his side.
"The boys who came in worked very hard to get the equaliser," Bale told S4C.
"Then to concede so early after that was gutting, but it's something we have to learn, maybe the dark arts of taking him (De Jong) down.
"We need to learn from this. They are a world-class team and we are in this A league now because we deserve to be testing ourselves against the best.
"I think if you are a tier below you get away with that at the end. You play the top teams, you don't do the things you need to do and you get punished.
"It's hard to take, but it is something we need to learn from. We are still a young team, and we have to learn from stuff like that and take it forward."
Wales put in a huge effort to beat Ukraine and earn a spot at the World Cup in their previous game, with Rob Page admitting that played a part in the defeat to the Netherlands.
🇳🇱 After some excellent work by Frenkie de Jong, @BurnleyOfficial forward Wout Weghorst wins it for the Netherlands!
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 8, 2022
Beautiful header! 💥 pic.twitter.com/8umt6u1NRi
"I am coming away disappointed that we haven't got at least a draw," he said.
"We gave ourselves a great opportunity, then showed a little bit of naivety, but that is a lesson we have got to learn. I can't fault the effort of the players again.
"I am really proud of them for that performance against a very good Dutch team."
"The Poland game and this game were influenced by a final (against Ukraine) in between. The team against Poland was one eye on the final, and the team today was because of the final.
"If you have got a squad of 50 players, great, it is no problem, but we don't have that luxury.
"These Nations Leagues have always been about preparation. We've got four games before November 21 (Wales' World Cup opener against the United States in Qatar)."