WALES midfielder Joe Ledley says the famous win over Belgium and the awesome atmosphere generated shows the players are right to want to play at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The crunch Euro 2016 qualifier saw 33,000 fans pack into the Bluebirds’ home ground to roar Chris Coleman’s men onto victory.
With many fans disappointed not to get a ticket there were calls before Friday night’s clash to move Wales home games back to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
But the players prefer the capital’s smaller venue, fearing that they would face plenty of empty seats at 75,000 capacity national stadium.
“We want to play at the Cardiff City Stadium,” said Ledley, a former Bluebirds midfielder.
“We don’t want to go to the Millennium because I don’t think it would suit the way we are.
“We’re happy playing in front of a great crowd and the players appreciate the fantastic support we got.”
The Crystal Palace ace says the players are trying to stay focused as they edge ever closer to securing a place at a major tournament for the first time since 1958.
“We’re on the brink but we set a target and we haven’t hit that yet,” said the 28-year-old.
“We’re in a good position but we’ve got two hard games coming up and we just need to take it game by game.”
Coleman’s men are next in action in Cyprus on September 3 and at home to Israel three days later and two wins could seal their passage to France next summer.
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is convinced that Wales will be there after he was beaten by Gareth Bale’s solitary strike following a mistake by Radja Nainggolan.
“We knew it would be difficult against a team who know how to defend,” said the Chelsea stopper.
“They played well and we couldn’t find the gap so they deserved it.
“It was bad luck from Radja to head the ball back to where Gareth was and he finished it well.
“He is top quality and afterwards we tried to find an equalizer but we couldn’t.
“I think Wales will qualify,” he added. “We knew that the team who won this game would be a big step ahead and if they don’t qualify now it will be a big shame for them.
“But they are a strong team and I think they will qualify.”
Swansea defender Jazz Richards was the surprise starter for Wales on Friday and he too believes the long wait is nearly over.
“I think we’re more than ready to go to France,” said the 24-year-old.
“I found out midweek that I was playing. Paul Dummett pulled up in training and I got given the nod.
“Maybe it was a surprise to Belgium as well!”
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