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Ryan Giggs has expressed his pride ahead of managing Wales for the first time - and admits he will be far more nervous than he ever was as a Manchester United player.
Giggs' reign starts in the China Cup on Thursday, when Wales play the hosts in Nanning to get the four-team tournament under way.
"I'm proud to be the Welsh manager and to be coaching this group of players," said Giggs, who was appointed in January, at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday. "I'm excited for the game. I've been in the job now over two months and this is why I took the job, for the football.
The World Cup failures XIShow all 12 1 /12The World Cup failures XI The World Cup failures XI The World Cup failures XI These are the best eleven players who be twiddling their thumbs when the Russian World Cup rolls around next summer.
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The World Cup failures XI GK. Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) The 175-cap legend misses out after Italy were beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Sweden. He retired from international football immediately after.
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The World Cup failures XI DR. Antonio Valencia (Ecuador) Valencia is one of the best South American players not at the tournament. Ecuador finished eighth in qualifying, missing out on a play-off place by six points.
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The World Cup failures XI DC. Leonardo Bonucci (Italy) The €42 million defender was let down by his team-mates against Sweden: Italy's defence held firm in the all-important second-leg but failed to score a goal.
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The World Cup failures XI DC. Virgil van Dijk (Holland) Holland's international slump continues. They didn't even make the European play-offs, meaning Van Dijk will be able to commit his entire summer to engineering a move away from Southampton.
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The World Cup failures XI DL. David Alaba (Austria) Finished a disappointing fourth in their qualifying group, behind Serbia, Ireland and Wales. Bayern Munich defended Alaba plays further forward for his national side but was unable to provide the spark they required.
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The World Cup failures XI DMC. Naby Keita (Guinea) The soon to be Liverpool midfielder could not inspire Guinea to World Cup qualification: they finished bottom of their group behind Tunisia, DR Congo and Libya.
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The World Cup failures XI DMC. Marco Veratti (Italy) Another world-class Italian superstar who won't get the chance to play at the 2018 World Cup.
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The World Cup failures XI AMR. Alexis Sanchez (Chile) The best South American player not to be in Russia. Sanchez scored seven goals in qualifying, the same number as Lionel Messi, but Chile missed out on a playoff spot to Peru because of goal difference.
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The World Cup failures XI AMC. Christian Pulisic (USA) Dortmund's young star said he was 'crushed' by the USA's failure to beat Trinidad and Tobago in a play-off. The 19-year-old nevertheless looks set to be one of the stars of the future.
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The World Cup failures XI AML. Gareth Bale (Wales) Could not inspire Wales to a play-off spot, with injury forcing him to miss the crucial final match against the Republic of Ireland, which they lost 1-0.
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The World Cup failures XI ST. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) The 2015 African Footballer of the Year will not be playing in Russia: Gabon lost out to Morocco in their World Cup qualifying group.
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"I'll be much more nervous than I was as a player. I never really got nervous as a player, but coming into management is completely different as there are so many things to think about.
"As a player you're quite selfish and making sure you're doing your job within the team. But as a manager you are always thinking, 'Have you forgotten anything? What can be improved?'
"So it's about preparing the team as best I can with my staff, then you evaluate what you could do better and what you did well. It's completely different from being a player."
Giggs had four games in interim charge as United manager in 2014 before spending two years as Louis van Gaal's assistant at Old Trafford.
But this is his first permanent role in management and, asked about his philosophy, he said his intention was to "win games" - starting with the China Cup, which also features the Czech Republic and Uruguay.
"The most important thing is to win games. But in the right way, just like when I was a player," Giggs said. "You want to play attractive football and entertain, but you have to do the basics like working hard as well.
"I'm lucky to inherit a side with a good team spirit, and every successful team needs to have a good team spirit."
The bulk of the Wales squad arrived in Nanning on Monday evening local time, while Gareth Bale - who played and scored for Real Madrid on Sunday night - arrived on Tuesday with Sunderland defender Adam Matthews.
World Cup 2018 official kitsShow all 51 1 /51World Cup 2018 official kits World Cup 2018 official kits World Cup 2018 kits The kits for the 2018 World Cup have started to be released ... but which one is your favourite?
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World Cup 2018 official kits Russia home They say: A clean design in red and white, inspired by the 1988 USSR jersey. Our verdict: Literally cannot muster up the enthusiasm to write anymore words about this snorefest.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Russia away They say: A smart strip in white and blue with subtle geometric pattern. Our verdict: Now that’s more like it! Big mistake not making this the home kit in our ever so humble opinion.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Saudi Arabia home and away Both home and away kits yet to be released. Will be supplied by Nike. Will probably feature a bit of green.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Egypt home They say: A ‘sleek and modern’ kit with sublimated check pattern on the front and white Adidas strips down the sides. Our verdict: Decent. Would make a nice Manchester United kit.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Uruguay home They say: A clean design in ‘silver lake blue’, with an ‘engineered jacquard graphic’ in the middle of the jersey. Our verdict: What’s Spanish for ‘horrific v neck’?
Puma
World Cup 2018 official kits Portugal home They say: The red base from Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph is retained, with Nike introducing ‘gold-metallic trim’ and a green collar. Our verdict: Yup, it’s a template. But that doesn’t stop it from looking smart.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Portugal away They say: An all-white design inspired by the country’s naval history. Our verdict: Cleaner than Kim Woodburn’s kitchen. Lovely stuff.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Spain home They say: Made by Adidas and inspired by the classic 1994 home strip. Our verdict: GET IT ON MY TORSO NOW.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Spain away They say: Another 1980s inspired kit. ‘Halo blue’ with bright orange trim. Our verdict: It’s … okay. Not a patch on that smashing home effort, mind.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Morocco home and away Both kits, to be produced by Adidas, are yet to be released.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Iran home and away Same again – to be produced by Adidas but yet to be released. Hurry up lads!
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World Cup 2018 official kits France home They say: A traditional look with blue jersey, white shorts and red socks. Our verdict: Another template. Another sexy kit. Damn you, Nike!
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World Cup 2018 official kits France away They say: White shirt, blue sleeves and white socks – with a distinct graphic print. Our verdict: Why couldn’t Nike have given this to England?! As smooth as Zinedine Zidane’s shiny bald head.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Australia home and away Move along, nothing to see here. Nike’s Aussie kits are yet to be released.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Peru home They say: The last ever Umbro kit for the country – Marathon Sports take over next year. Our verdict: You don’t get more traditional than this. A proper football kit for proper football men. You can shove your xG up your a***, etc.
Umbro
World Cup 2018 official kits Denmark home and away Yet to be released. But they’re to be manufactured by Hummel. So they’re bound to be good.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Argentina home They say: A classic effort that draws inspiration from the 1993 Copa America strip, coincidentally the last time Argentina won a major title. Our verdict: A stylish strip befitting of little Leo Messi. Top drawer.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Argentina away They say: Black jerseys with neat white and blue trim, white shorts, black socks. Our verdict: Woof. Coming to a five-a-side court near you very soon.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Iceland home They say: An Errea produced kit which incorporates the traditional home colours of blue, red and white. Our verdict: Nice, if a little bit bargain basement.
Errea
World Cup 2018 official kits Iceland away They say: The reverse of the home shirt. Our verdict: Yes, we can confirm that this is the exact reverse of the home shirt.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Croatia home They say: Nike offer a new interpretation of the team’s iconic checker design, with much larger checks than usual. Our verdict: Will look great on Luka Modric if he can keep himself out of prison long enough to wear it.
World Cup 2018 official kits Croatia away They say: The same template as the home shirt, but with a black and dark blue colour scheme. Our verdict: Very, very nice. A slightly gothic interpretation of the home shirt we all know and love. The football kit equivalent of Late Night Hollyoaks.
World Cup 2018 official kits Nigeria home They say: An eclectic combination of bright green, white and black in an especially bold design. Our verdict: Outstanding. Sensational. Sublime. The nicest kit at this year’s World Cup and destined to be worn at Boiler Room sessions from now until 2046.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Nigeria away They say: A clean design in dark green with subtle zigzag print. Our verdict: Oh dear, clearly Nike used all their budget on the home shirt. About as exciting as a Songs of Praise marathon.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits They say: A traditional effort with subtle zigzag pattern. Our verdict: Why change a winning formula? Bright, bold and very much Brazil.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Brazil away They say: Based on the same design as the home shirt. Royal blue with a unique star pattern covering the front. Our verdict: Yeah, fine, okay.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Switzerland home and away Not released yet, soz.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Costa Rica home and away The bad news: the kits haven’t been released yet. The good news: they’re being made by New Balance, so will be peng.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Serbia away They say: White with red trim, with the nation’s flag running down the centre. Our verdict: Very difficult to criticise. But we'll have a go: the collar is a bit naff. Other than that, no complaints. Now be on your way, Serbia away.
Puma
World Cup 2018 official kits Germany home They say: White, black and inspired by the iconic 1990 strip. Our verdict: You’ve already seen this, and you already love it. If only it featured the colours of the German flag, though…
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Germany away They say: The first green German jersey since Euro 2012, inspired by the 1994 away effort. Our verdict: It's Adidas. It's green. It's great. Let me wear you, Germany away.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Mexico home They say: Manufactured by Adidas, featuring the country’s traditional green colour with white applications. Our verdict: Yum.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Mexico away They say: Draws inspiration from Mexico’s kits of the 1950s. White with a green, white and red chest stripe. Our verdict: Looks a bit like something Roger Federer would wear to win the Australian Open. And we’re very much okay with that.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Sweden home They say: The traditional yellow and blue, with a subtle jacquard pattern on the front. Our verdict: Nothing to write home about, to be honest. Unless you’re writing the solitary word ‘BORING’, that is.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Sweden away They say: Adidas claim the away kit features ‘a sleek design in blue and yellow’. Our verdict: That subtle pattern is very nice. One of the better ‘plain Jane’ kits to be worn in Russia.
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World Cup 2018 official kits South Korea home They say: A classic red design with dark blue shorts and red socks. Our verdict: Boring. Plain. Routine. Run-of-the-mill. Humdrum, Dreary. Banal. Unoriginal. Spiritless. Insipid. Etc.
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World Cup 2018 official kits South Korea away They say: Predominantly white, with a bold blue and red graphic print subtly inspired by a tiger pattern and the Taegeuk symbol. Our verdict: Much better, although it does look a bit like a crayon wielding toddler has been let loose on the new England shirt. Which nevertheless remains a huge improvement.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Belgium home They say: A bold design that takes inspiration from the iconic 1984 top. Our verdict: Cracking. Atones for those atrocious Burrda efforts they’ve been palmed off with at the last few tournaments.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Belgium away They say: Yellow and black with a slight all-over graphic print. Our verdict: Yet another sublime Adidas away kit. *Wolfwhistles*
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Panama home and away Yet to be released.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Tunisia home They say: White with red crew-neck collar and cuffs, and a dotted gradient graphic. Our verdict: If this football shirt was a British sporting personality, it would be Steve Davis.
Uhlsport
World Cup 2018 official kits Tunisia away They say: The Tunisia 2018 World Cup away shirt is red with white details. Our verdict: If this football shirt was a British sporting personality, it would be Steve Davis.
Uhlsport
World Cup 2018 official kits England home They say: Manufactured by Nike, with a white base with blue for logos and a modern knit pattern on the front. Our verdict: About as inspiring as Iain Duncan Smith. This country really is going to the dogs.
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World Cup 2018 official kits England away They say: Red all over with a subtle St George’s Cross motif across the front. Our verdict: It’s red. It has a bit of a pattern thing going on across the front. We’ve already forgotten about it. Next.
Nike
World Cup 2018 official kits Poland home and away To be made by Nike, but yet to be released.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Senegal home and away To be made by Puma, but yet to be released. IT'S TOO LATE FOR OUR POLL NOW, SENEGAL.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Colombia home They say: Produced by Adidas with a traditional colour scheme, inspired by the iconic home shirts worn in the 1970s and 80s. Our verdict: Yessssssss. If it’s good enough for James Rodriguez it’s good enough for us.
Adidas
World Cup 2018 official kits Colombia away They say: Predominantly royal blue, with bright orange trim and a jazzy pattern down one side of the shirt. Our verdict: Very solid. Colombia right up there with Germany for the best pair of shirts in the business.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Japan home They say: According to Adidas: ‘the shirt’s bespoke look and graphic takes inspiration from traditional samurai armour’. Our verdict: Really lovely kit. Deserves better than the inevitable group stage exit.
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World Cup 2018 official kits Japan away They say: An understated all-white kit with subtle grey trim. Our verdict: Adidas deliver a top-draw kit yet again. A lovely way to round off the gallery. Thanks for reading!
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Declan John, Tom Bradshaw, Marley Watkins and young goalkeeper Michael Crowe were also late in joining the 23-man squad.
"The preparation has been good," Giggs said. "Obviously it's got difficulties with jet lag and players arriving at different times. But the hotel is good and the stadium is fantastic, so the preparations have gone as well as possible.
"We've got a tough game against a China team with a great manager (Marcello Lippi) I've come across many times when he was coaching Juventus. It's going to be tough not only because of the manager, but the fact it's China at home.
"We've watched videos and they are very aggressive, they play on the front foot."
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