Opinion | One million reasons Wales are the winners of the China Cup whatever happens against Uruguay tonight
Fans are in fine form as they follow players in making the most of mainland trip
Barring something remarkable, Wales can consider themselves the winners whatever happens in the final of the China Cup in Nanning on Monday night – as much off the pitch as on.
Yes, a first trophy under Ryan Giggs would be the ideal way to finish the tournament but either way the Welsh FA (FAW) have delivered and been rewarded.
The deal to spend the international break in Nanning was reported to be worth £1 million (HK$11 million) to the Welsh, with £100,000 of that contingent on Gareth Bale playing.
The Real Madrid star started against China and ensured that the China Cup’s remit of bringing the very best in the world to the country was fulfilled by scoring a hat-trick, much to the delight of the predominantly local crowd.
Only around 350 Wales fans had made the trip, although double that had expressed an interest with FAW once the deal to play in Nanning was confirmed.
Those that were successful in getting tickets could only do so after showing their valid Chinese visa to the FAW – Nanning is not part of the visa free transit programme in China’s bigger cities – which was just another expense to add to travel and accommodation and that’s before tagging on stays in Shanghai, Hong Kong or Beijing to break up the distance and make use of a rare trip to the region.