THE controversy over the Wales Velothon may have dominated media coverage in these parts over the last few days, but it would be wrong to let the performance of the nation’s footballers pass without comment.

Last Friday night’s victory against Belgium - currently ranked the second best team in world football - was a magnificent achievement.

Superstar Gareth Bale may have grabbed the winning goal and the headlines but the 1-0 win that put Wales three points clear at the top of their qualifying group for next year’s European Championships in France was a true team effort.

On paper, the Wales side that took the field in Cardiff should have been no match for the Belgians.

But manager Chris Coleman has moulded a team that plays for him, their mates and their country.

They have an absolute passion for playing for their country - none more so than Bale, who looked a man reborn on Friday compared with the haunted figure he has seemed while playing in front of a hostile Real Madrid crowd recently.

Wales are not yet at Euro 2016 but they will never have a better chance of making their first finals since 1958.

Seasoned Wales supporters will have experienced too many near misses over the years to be counting their chickens.

But this team does look as though it has something different about it. Let’s hope so.