Connor Roberts hopes the “power of the tash” can help Wales to Euro 2024 play-off glory against Poland.
Roberts has embarked on long unbeaten Championship runs at Burnley and Leeds over the last two seasons after putting his razor away and growing a moustache.
The 28-year-old wing-back is now determined to avoid a close shave on the international stage and show off his new look in Germany this summer as Wales host Poland on Tuesday for a place at Euro 2024.
“It’s just a little bit of a joke,” Roberts said of his facial addition.
“My wife (Georgina) last year, she was like ‘Why don’t you grow it?’ so I did and then we went on an unbeaten run at Burnley.
“I’ve done the same thing this year and keep asking her if I should shave it off. But she likes it so I’m leaving it there as she’s the boss.
“I think it’s played about 25 Championship games and never lost, so I hope that continues in the Championship and maybe it gives us a bit of luck on Tuesday.
“It’s the power of the tache, isn’t it?”
Roberts won the Championship title at Vincent Kompany’s Burnley last season but found Premier League game time this term difficult to come by.
So he headed out to Leeds on loan in January with the hope of creating more special memories for club and country.
“When I think of my personal journey, I’ve always looked for those moments,” said Roberts, who scored in a 2-0 win against Turkey at the last European Championship.
“Again, this season, moving clubs was to achieve a moment, another promotion, hopefully. That is at the forefront of my mind.
“For Wales I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of big games – Hungary a few years ago, Ukraine. Life, football is about moments and Tuesday is another moment.
“When all is said and done, if we can look back and say it’s another qualification for another major tournament – the third one for most of us and even more for others – it will be something you can be very proud of when our football is finished.”
Wales will be greeted by another capacity Cardiff City Stadium crowd as the Dragons – 4-1 play-off semi-final winners against Finland on Thursday – attempt to qualify for a third successive European Championship.
It would also be a fourth major tournament out of five after Wales reached the 2022 World Cup by negotiating the play-off route with wins over Austria and Ukraine.
Roberts said: “Whenever I play for Wales, I never really feel tired.
“I always really just want to run more, want to do more for the team, do more for my country, for myself and make people proud.
“I’m sure that goes for every single player who gets to play for Wales.
“We’re not the biggest footballing nation, we’re not the best players in the world.
“But we all want to be here, we all want to do well and I think that that has shown in recent games. Hopefully, it shows again on Tuesday night.”
Nashville SC v San Jose Earthquakes: ‘A win would change everything’ - Godoy
Anibal Godoy insists that Nashville are already looking at their game against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday as a must-win.
Nashville have won just once in the MLS this season and sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference after a run of four without a win.
The Earthquakes, meanwhile, are bottom of the Western Conference having lost eight of their matches and recording just one win.
Godoy is aware of how their poor start to the season could affect their playoff hopes later down the line but is confident that Nashville can turn things around.
He said: “For us, it's an important week. It's a day we have to win, or we'll start to feel the pressure from other teams as they start to separate in the table.
“This league is long but if we want to get to the playoff you have to win games early on, especially at home.”
Liverpool agree compensation deal for Slot
Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an agreement in principle over a compensation deal for Arne Slot to become the Reds’ manager next season, according to widespread Dutch media reports.
The Dutchman is reportedly poised to take over from Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
Slot led Feyenoord to their second Eredivisie title last season after taking over the club in 2021.
It is believed that he topped the list of Liverpool’s favoured candidates due to his attacking playing style and ability to develop players.
Former Liverpool midfielder, Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim were also reported contenders to take over from Klopp.
Slot had already confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League, both earlier this week and previously when he was linked to Tottenham in 2023.
QPR 4-0 Leeds United: Shock loss for Farke's men seals Leicester's promotion
QPR thrashed Leeds United 4-0 in the Championship on Friday, ensuring Leicester City booked their promotion straight back to the Premier League.
Ilias Chair was the star for the Hoops as he scored the opener and assisted two more goals to ensure QPR will stay in the Championship for another season.
Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field also got their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win for Marti Cifuentes' side.
Leeds' heaviest defeat of the season was a huge blow in the race for an automatic promotion spot, with Ipswich Town just one point behind them in third place with two games in hand going into their away clash against Hull City on Saturday.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
