World Cup 2022: Wales' big send-off from kids and rugby
- Published
Young Welsh fans have high hopes for the Wales team out in Qatar at the World Cup
Hundreds of excited schoolchildren and the national rugby team have given Wales a huge send-off as they head to the football World Cup in Qatar.
The team were greeted by a large crowd of youngsters in the stands at the Cardiff City Stadium for their last training session before flying out.
Also there were musicians who will entertain fans in Qatar, including the football brass band The Barry Horns.
The squad took off from Cardiff Airport at about 15:50 GMT.
Crowds had gathered to wave them off ahead of their flight, with many children in positive mood - including twins Faith and Amber, eight, from Bedwas, Caerphilly county.
"We are really excited, I hope they win," said Faith.
Faith and Amber, eight-year-olds twins from Bedwas, Caerphilly, are in a positive mood
Kai, nine, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, said: "I am excited, I feel like they are going to win."
Josie Gronow, 16, from Llantwit Major, said she hoped Wales did well and got out of their group.
Asked what match she was most looking forward to, she said: "The rivals England, hopefully they are going to smash them. Another tough one will be the USA."
Her brother Oliver, nine, said: "Maybe they can get to the semi-finals or quarter-finals."
Wales legend Ian Rush - who never made it to the World Cup with the side - said the current players had been "magnificent" to get there.
"When you get to Qatar, make sure we stay there for as long as we can," he added.
The team had their final training session on home soil on Tuesday before heading to Cardiff Airport to fly to Qatar
Children from Lansdowne Primary School, near the stadium, said they were looking forward to seeing Wales in the World Cup.
Kayla, 11, enjoyed the training session, led by captain Gareth Bale, especially when "they were keeping it up", and confidently predicted: "I think they will do well."
Wales manager Rob Page preparing to watch The Damned United, starring Michael Sheen as Brian Clough, on the way to Qatar
For 10-year-old Caiden, there is one player who stood out when they took the pitch.
"The best part was when they came out and over by us," he said. "Bale is my favourite player."
The squad came over to their young supporters for a quick photo before they said goodbye.
Caiden (left), 10, Tvisha, 10 and Kayla, 11, of Lansdowne Primary
Bale said he and the team "can't wait to go".
"We'll try to make you proud. Make sure you support us from Wales and all over the world, and we look forward to see all the pictures and videos of the celebrations."
The Welsh football team heads to Qatar for their first World Cup since 1958
The Welsh Rugby Union also showed their support for the round ball boys.
The rugby team, who are in the middle of their autumn internationals, cheered and applauded as Bale and manager Robert Page led the squad out of the Vale of Glamorgan hotel the two national teams share.
"Pob lwc bois! [Good luck boys]," they shouted.
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Sorba Thomas, who was at the training session on Tuesday, is part of a major tournament squad for the first time.
His mum, Gail Thomas, said she and his friends "were jumping around, crying and cheering" when his name popped up on the screen.
"It's unbelievable to know that my son is actually playing for my country," she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
Gail, who is from Newport, said Sorba always wanted to play for Wales, after doing so for England at non-league level for some time.
She may not be traveling to Qatar to watch her son play in person but she will be cheering on from The Muffler pub, in Newport, with his dog.
With Sorba on the team, Gail's confidence knows no bounds: she has no doubt that "Wales are going to win!"
Sorba Thomas qualifies for Wales through his Newport-born mum Gail
Wales will fly from Cardiff Airport on Tuesday afternoon to compete in their first World Cup since 1958.
They will play their first game against the USA next Monday.
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