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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
John Jones

Schoolboy gives brilliant Wales team talk in live BBC interview ahead of England World Cup clash

A nine-year-old boy from Swansea has delivered a rousing team talk to Wales' football team ahead of their crucial World Cup game against England on Tuesday night.

Rob Page's side face a mammoth task in Tuesday evening's crucial game as they bid to extend their World Cup campaign. They must pull off a shock victory against England and hope that the other group B fixture between Iran and USA ends in a draw, or, if that game ends in a win for either side, Wales must beat Gareth Southgate's team by four clear goals. You can follow live Wales v England updates here.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, Tuesday night’s match is still a huge fixture for Wales, which could prove to be their last at a World Cup after progressing to the tournament for the first time in 64 years.

GRAB YOUR COPY: Get your brilliant 48-page Wales at the World Cup souvenir special

With England still among the favourites for the tournament, and having not lost to Wales in an international since 1984, it will take a truly inspirational team talk from Page to keep Gareth Bale and Co. in Qatar for the knockout rounds.

But the Welsh management appear to have beaten to it by nine-year-old Preston, a pupil at Llangyfelach Primary in Swansea, who was interviewed live on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning ahead of the crunch tie.

Asked what he would say to the team if he was in the Welsh dressing room, Preston left the interviewer stunned as he gave a rousing speech with his classmates huddling around him, hanging on his every word.

He said: "Look, it doesn't matter if we win or lose. We've made history! We've overcome 64 years. The last time we were in the World Cup was back in 1958 and it's glad to have it back in (sic). But if we do win, we might be on to the knockout rounds." Building to an emphatic finale, he added: "And that will make history for all of Wales, so come on!"

Preston's classmates and teachers, decked out in Wales kit and bucket hats, joined the interviewer and the BBC Breakfast studio in applauding his efforts. However, like many Welsh fans today, the primary school pupil only seemed focused on the job in hand, as he stood there with his arms folded while those around him screamed and shouted.

His speech also caught the attention of former Wales international and World Cup pundit John Hartson. The former striker, who won 51 caps for his country, replied to a clip of the interview on Twitter, writing: "Well said young man."

Wales will certainly need some inspiration from fans like Preston if they are to pull off the most unlikely of victories, and you can send your message of support to the team here .

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