IT’S another defining day for Welsh football and for long suffering fans that usually brings to mind the Mel Brooks song Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst.

That attitude comes, of course, from bitter experience of that ‘so near, and yet so far’ feeling stretching back 40 years to 1976, through 1977, 1985, 1993 and 2003.

The last of those qualification near misses was a play-off against Russia that ended up in a 1-0 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

But tonight’s Euro 2016 decider against the Russians in Toulouse is different for one crucial reason – Wales did qualify in Zenica last October.

Tonight’s match is an occasion that for 58 years Welsh fans could only dream about – the chance not to make the finals but to make the knockout stages in the tournament itself.

It shouldn’t really matter if Chris Coleman’s men progress further – they’ve already achieved what no Welsh team has since 1958.

But Coleman and his players are not thinking that way at all and for even the most level-headed of fans it would certainly be a major anti-climax to go home now.

After that historic win over Slovakia the last 16 seemed within touching distance and, despite the last-gasp defeat to England, the Wales players have not even considered the worst case scenario of an early exit.

Gareth Bale said: “It would be devastating but we don’t really want to think about that. I don’t think anyone has thought about that.

“We’re a positive group and if we stick together and work hard on the pitch we always give ourselves a chance.

“We were unlucky maybe not to get out with a point against England but we all believe that if we keep working hard and keep showing that same spirit and passion I think we’ll definitely go through.”

The Real Madrid star added: “A few of the boys have been looking at the permutations but in the end we say ‘just win, lads’ and then we don’t have to look.

And Joe Allen says there are no nerves in the camp.

The Liverpool midfielder said: “The approach has been knowing this is a huge opportunity for everyone, to embrace it and to enjoy it and give best, it's as simple as that.

“I don't think anyone has felt nervous, it's not of any use, so that's been the mind-set.

“To have been in position in the group after two games we were potentially already through in itself was achievement, so to go into this game knowing it's still in our hands and the quality we've got is good.

“Russia are a strong team and they'll fancy themselves I'm sure but we're confident and it's an opportunity we're really looking to seize and we can't wait for kick-off.”

Most of the headlines about Russia have focused on hooligans rather than football but they were lucky to take a point against England and were brushed aside by Slovakia.

They look there for the taking as far as Wales are concerned and I’m backing Coleman’s men to banish any doubt about qualification with a win tonight.

A point would probably be enough to progress but Wales will be going for victory.

“It’s a difficult one,” said Allen. “I think it’s one where people think if you set up just to cling on to that point it can often be the downfall of teams.

“That won’t be our approach I don’t think. I think it is one where we want to make sure we are more in control of how we approach our performance, how we go about it.

“Performing well is first and foremost what we want to do because we know when we have that focus on doing that the results come with it.”

And Wales don’t want to be relying on England to beat Slovakia.

“That’s irrelevant,” added Allen. “We haven’t considered the ifs and buts of what goes on there.

“I think it’s imperative the focus is on ourselves and that we are not distracted by the other game in the group or distracted too much by the result we need.”

Wales (probable): Hennessey; Chester, Williams, Davies; Gunter, Allen, Ledley, Taylor; Ramsey, Bale; Robson-Kanu.

Russia (probable): Akinfeev; Smolnikov, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Golovin, Neustadter; Kokorin, Shatov, Smolov; Dzyuba.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

Penarth Times: