Dafydd Iwan backs Wales to WIN World Cup after Gareth Bale and Co’s sing-song propelled 78-year-old folk singer to No1
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WALES have been backed to be on song in Qatar and win the World Cup.
Gareth Bale and co celebrated ending 64-years of qualification hurt by singing a rousing and emotional chorus of ‘Yma o Hyd’ with folk singer Dafydd Iwan on the pitch following last Sunday’s 1-0 play-off final triumph over Ukraine.
Iwan reached No1 in the iTunes chart in midweek after beating Kate Bush's ‘Running Up the Hill’ single to top spot.
The Football Association of Wales then invited the 78-year-old to meet the squad at their Vale of Glamorgan base on Friday before the Nations League clash with Belgium.
Iwan delivered a stirring speech to Wales captain Bale and his team-mates, who face USA, Iran and England in Group B, when he said: “You don’t realise what you have done for the Welsh nation.
“Wherever I go, what people tell me, whether they speak Welsh or not, whether they live north or south, east or west, in Wales or outside Wales, what you have done has changed the face of Wales.
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“I have been privileged to be part of this with you. It’s been a great experience.
“I wish you well against Belgium, wish you well in Qatar, I don’t suppose I will see you there.
“But you can win the World Cup because you play with heart.
“And that is what you have given to the Welsh people - confidence and belief in themselves because you believe in yourselves. You can beat the world.”
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Iwan, from Carmarthenshire, received a signed shirt - with the name of his Welsh-language anthem track ‘Yma o Hyd’ on the back from Wales’ World Cup heroes.
Then he had a picture with captain Bale and manager Robert Page.
Wales started singing the song, which was originally recorded in 1981 and released in 1983, during Euro 2020 last summer in Baku when squad DJ Chris Gunter included it on his playlist.
The song tells the story of how Welsh language and culture has survived more than 2,000 years against all the odds.