Sunday 7 September 2014 14:02, UK
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has told his Wales team-mates to forget about the artificial pitch controversy surrounding their opening European Qualifier against Andorra.
Andorra's 3G surface was only cleared to stage the opening Group B match last Wednesday after UEFA had ordered a series of inspections, with previous tests showing the ball rolled too fast on the pitch.
Ahead of the qualifier in the capital Andorra La Vella, Wales manager Chris Coleman chose to train his squad on traditional grass surfaces rather than 3G pitches for fear of his players picking up injuries.
But Bale insists the pitch will not be an issue against opponents ranked 199 in the world.
"There's been a lot of talk about it (the pitch) but you have to put it to one side," said Bale.
"Certain players and people don't like it and that's normal. But we have a job to do and when you're playing for your country, no matter where the game is or what it's played on, we're going to give 100 per cent and try to win the game."
The 25-year-old has flourished in Madrid since his world-record move from Tottenham last year and scored the decisive goal in Real's Champions League final victory over city neighbours Atletico in May.
He claims the expectation on him to deliver in Wales colours is not a burden.
"I don't feel any added pressure whenever I pull the shirt on for my country," he said.
"It's just an honour to play for Wales and I feel the excitement of playing in front of the home crowd.
"Hopefully we can do them proud this time round and qualify."
Wales cannot afford any first night slip-ups with tougher tests against group favourites Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina to come before the end of the year.
But Bale says there is a confidence within the camp that Wales can at last qualify for a major tournament 58 years after reaching the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.
"There is a definite sense of excitement," he said.
"The start of every campaign is a new chance to qualify and this one more than any other is exciting because we have a team that's been together a while, great confidence and the fact more teams can qualify.
"It's a chance we want to take with both hands, but it's vital to get off to a good start in these groups.
"We feel we have a good team, we're able to play good football, and the main thing now is doing the job on the pitch."
Watch Andorra v Wales live on Sky Sports 5 HD on Tuesday from 7pm
