Joe Allen insists Wales are not facing mission impossible as they look to salvage their World Cup campaign in Tuesday’s crucial meeting with England.
After drawing 1-1 in their opener against the United States, Wales were stunned by Iran, who scored twice in stoppage time after goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had been sent off to earn a famous 2-0 win.
That result leaves Wales bottom of Group B ahead of the final round of fixtures and they must beat England to have any chance of reaching the last-16.
An unlikely four-goal goal victory over Gareth Southgate’s side would send Wales through. More feasibly, they must win and hope for a draw between the US and Iran.
“It’s not impossible, no,” said Allen, who has declared himself fit to start after making his comeback from injury as a late substitute against Iran.
"It’s a tough task, it’s always uncomfortable when it’s not in your hands and you’re relying on certain things to unfold but while there’s still a chance it’s really simple for us.
“We’re fully motivated, fully incentivised into throwing absolutely everything into getting the win. Then, who knows? Hopefully, there’s a chance we can still get us out of this group.”
Wales’ players sank to their knees at full-time after Iran took a deserved three points from a game that had been billed as must-win for Robert Page’s side, playing at their first World Cup in 64 years.
Page’s men have little time to lift themselves before Tuesday’s crunch meeting with England, a third game in nine days for a squad littered with players short of form and regular playing time at their clubs.
“After every loss it’s very tough to take,” said Tottenham defender Ben Davies. “We knew the manner we lost in, the last kick of the game, it was a tough way to react and bounce back. We’ve had that disappointment and we’ve got no choice but to move on and give everything we can.
“They’re a world-class side, it’s going to be a very tough game but we have to prep as well as we can, look for areas of weakness they have and try and capitalise on that. We’re under no illusions it’s not going to be anything other than very difficult.
“Everybody knows that we’ve got quality in there and we really do believe we can win the game. We know it will be hard and we know we’ll have to be at our best to do it but we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
