Wales v Costa Rica all about Gary Speed not the result, says manager Coleman

By David Gold

March 2 – Wales paid a fitting tribute to Gary Speed during their friendly with Costa Rica on Wednesday (February 29), a match played in honour of their former manager, who died last November.

Speed’s family were in attendance with sons Ed (pictured below, number six) and Tommy (number 11) leading out the Wales team alongside injured captain Aaron Ramsey and stand in skipper Craig Bellamy (number eight), playing what could be his final international game.

In the event Costa Rica, whom Speed had won his first international cap against, won 1-0 with a goal from Joel Campbell early on in front of a crowd of 23,000, but for the Welsh and manager Chris Coleman that was the last thing on their minds at the final whistle.

Coleman revealed that Ed Speed had spoken to the players after the match, describing it as one “anybody would have been proud of”.

“There was not a tear in his eyes, he was strong as an ox,” Coleman said.

“He came in and he said, ‘My Dad always said to me that if you do your best it’s enough, and I think you lot did your best tonight’.

“So what do you say to that, when a 14-year-old boy, who’s just lost his dad speaks like that to a bunch of professional footballers?

“What do you say to that – that’s bravery, isn’t it?”

The crowd at one end of the Cardiff City Stadium pitch held up cards to reveal the name “Gary” on the background of the Welsh flag during the national anthem before kick off.

A minute’s applause was held whilst two other spontaneous ovations took place during the match, as did renditions of Andy Williams’ “You’re too Good to be True”, which was played at Speed’s wedding and funeral.

“This game was a surreal situation and one I’m not enjoying – but it was a game we had to play to show our respect for Gary Speed,” Coleman added.

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