{"id":292073,"date":"2023-09-10T21:34:48","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T21:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=292073"},"modified":"2023-09-10T21:34:48","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T21:34:48","slug":"rob-page-determined-to-see-out-wales-contract-with-euro-qualification-in-doubt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/rob-page-determined-to-see-out-wales-contract-with-euro-qualification-in-doubt\/","title":{"rendered":"Rob Page determined to see out Wales contract with Euro qualification in doubt"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Under-fire Wales boss Rob Page says he is determined to see out the three remaining years of his contract.<\/p>\n
Page signed a four-year deal exactly 12 months ago as Wales prepared to make their first appearance at a World Cup for 64 years.<\/p>\n
But their fortunes have plummeted since and Page faces a potentially make-or-break Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia on Monday.<\/p>\n
Wales must beat bottom side Latvia \u2013 who are yet to register a point in Group D \u2013 to keep alive hopes of a top-two place and automatic qualification for next summer\u2019s finals in Germany.<\/p>\n
Asked at his pre-match press conference whether he was under pressure from the Football Association of Wales executive to qualify, Page said: \u201cI can\u2019t let that affect me. I can\u2019t think about that.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve got a job to do. I want to qualify for me, as a Welsh supporter myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the manager, I want to be in this job for the rest of my contract. I really enjoy working with this group of players.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pressed further on whether he was fighting for his job, Page replied: \u201cWe are in an industry where you need to win games of football.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a period of transition as well. I can\u2019t influence what the board or people above do.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I can worry about is winning games of football and giving it my best shot.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I do that and it doesn\u2019t work out for me, then at least I can walk away with my head held high.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wales warmed up for their trip to Latvia with a goalless draw against South Korea on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Page said he saw plenty of positive signs during that Cardiff clash and Wales were further boosted by Friday\u2019s set of results in their qualifying section.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
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Group favourites Croatia left Latvia dispirited with a 5-0 thrashing, while Turkey and Armenia drew 1-1.<\/p>\n
Wales would draw level on points with Armenia if they win in Riga and Croatia do likewise in Yerevan \u2013 and move within three points of Turkey with a game in hand.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Turkey and Armenia drawing) was probably the best result for us,\u201d Page said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be nice for Croatia to get another win for them to run away with it and have us fighting it out for second spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to win the game. It\u2019s all about the points for us. It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s 1-0.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are off the back of a tough game but they have been in games right up until the 90th minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t wait for it off the back of a positive performance against Korea. I didn\u2019t want the game because I didn\u2019t want to risk injuries and we\u2019ve picked up an injury from that game as Wes (Burns) came on and he tweaked his hamstring.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere is a generation of supporters who have seen Wales qualify for major tournaments. Losing players makes the job harder, but expectations say that we should be qualifying.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not as easy as that. We will continue to try and qualify for every tournament.\u201d<\/p>\n