NECO WILLIAMS says he went from “crying all day” to playing in Wales’ World Cup opener against the USA after his mother called him 24 hours before kick-off to tell him his grandad had died.
After the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw at the Al Rayyan Stadium in Doha, Qatar, the 21-year-old full-back for Nottingham Forest was in tears.
He said that his mother had called him barely 24 hours before kickoff to deliver “the toughest news I’ve ever had to face”.
“To go from crying all day to start in a World Cup game was extremely tough but I got through it from the support of my team-mates and family,” he wrote on Twitter.
“So I dedicate that game and a important point to him.” He later wrote on Instagram: “Yesterday was the toughest news I’ve ever had to face and that was listening to my mum tell me my grandad past away last night.
“He’s been everywhere around the world to watch me play football from when I first started playing at Liverpool at 6 years old. “He’d never tell me if I had a good game because he always said I have to get better and better each day and that’s why I am where I am now! “
“So I dedicate this game all to him because I know he’s up there watching down on me very proudly.”
A late penalty scored by captain Gareth Bales earned Wales a draw in their first World Cup match for 64 years. It was Bale’s 41st goal in 109 appearances for his country.
Wales next face Iran on Friday morning, while the USA take on Group B leaders England in the evening on the same day – after Gareth Southgate’s side won 6-2 earlier on Monday.
Wales boss Robert Page said: “They looked good, England. They’re the favourites to go and win the group. USA second favourites.
“There will be a few surprises along the way. We’re just going to plan for a tough game on Friday and see where that takes us going into the last game against England.
