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06th Jul 2016

Roy Keane was absolutely brutal about Wales in the semi final defeat to Portugal

Tough words...

Ben Kenyon

Roy Keane is a tough man to please.

The Republic of Ireland coach was videoed throttling his country’s star striker Robbie Brady in celebration after his famous Italy goal.

A fortnight later and Keane has gone straight for the jugular again, but this time he was brutally criticising Wales for their semi final performance against Portugal.

After a goalless first half kept Chris Coleman’s side well in the tie, two quick goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani effectively killed off the tie and Wales couldn’t find a way back.

Gary Lineker and other pundits acknowledged it was a game too far but celebrated heroic Wales’ superhuman team efforts at Euro 2016.

But former Manchester United hardman Keane wasn’t planning on sugar coating it for the legions of gutted Welsh fans whose Euro finals dreams lay in tatters.

Keane wasn’t too complimentary about Wales’ defending for Portugal’s second goal for starters.

But then he described their performance as a ‘cop out’ in the biggest game in the country’s history for half a century.
“They’ve been fantastic and surprised everyone by getting to the semi final, but tonight they lacked quality.
“Ramsey is a big loss, him and Bale do link up pretty well. They did give away some easy goals tonight
“The manager spoke before the game about having no regrets. I think they will, they were never on the front foot.
“They started playing when they were 2-0 down, that’s a cop out. But, start of the tournament you would have taken semi finals.”
They will be tough words to take for Welsh fans, but ones that perhaps ring true.
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Topics:

Roy Keane,Wales