NEWPORT’S Chris Gunter says victory over Belgium is proof that the Football Association of Wales was right to ignore the critics and stick with manager Chris Coleman.

Gunter, who won his 59th cap as Wales stunned Belgium 1-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night, insists the players have always been behind the manager.

And he says victory over the second best team in the world, which takes Wales three points clear at the top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group, shows that the ‘negativity’ surrounding Coleman and the national side last year was misplaced.

“We felt there was a bit of negativity around us coming back from Andorra, which wasn’t that long ago,” said the Reading defender of the narrow 2-1 win over the group minnows last September.

“We knew that was a big win but some people weren’t happy and wanted the manager to be sacked.

“The players said we were behind the manager and five games later we’re top of the group and deservedly so.”

Captain Ashley Williams also believes Coleman, who took over from the late Gary Speed in 2012, has had a rough ride from the public and the media.

“I don’t think he gets enough credit,” said the skipper. “He kind of gets overlooked but he has done such a great job.

“To turn it round to where we were sitting in the dressing room after we lost 6-1 in Serbia [in 2012] the credit goes down to him.

“The players are all buying in to what he and the coaching staff are trying to do and the preparation for this game was spot on.”

Gunter spoke of his pride after picking up a precious three points against the star-studded Belgians to put the nation within sight of a first major tournament since 1958.

“It’s an unbelievable night for Welsh football – the best I’ve had playing for Wales,” said the 25-year-old former St Julian’s High School pupil.

“The last 35 minutes seemed to go in slow motion but the feeling at the end was worth every bit of pain and emotion.

“And I thought the fans were unbelievable,” he added. “It was the best atmosphere I’ve played in so the fans deserve a big pat on the back as well.”

Gunter is now looking forward to a short summer break, which will include his brother’s stag do – if Marc Gunter can find the passport he lost celebrating in Cardiff after the match.

“We need to have a break now – I’ve got my brother’s stag do next week – and come back get focused again,” said Gunter on Friday night.

On Saturday he took to Twitter to post: “Need some help if possible, my brother lost his passport in Cardiff city centre last night. A long shot but if anybody picked it up please msg.”