Bale: Wales want to keep riding the Euro 2016 wave
Gareth Bale insists reaching the last eight of Euro 2016 is not enough for Wales ahead of their quarter-final against Belgium.
Wales meet Belgium in Lille on Friday night with the incentive of going further in a major tournament than at any time in their history.
Jimmy Murphy's side reached the quarter-final of the 1958 World Cup - the last time Wales played at a major tournament before this competition - but the current team could now eclipse that achievement.
"We have done well and the country is proud of us even if we do get knocked out," said Bale.
"But we want to keep going, we want to keep riding this wave.
"We want to go as far as we can and try to win the tournament.
"We understand the position we are in and everything else goes to the back of our mind.
"It is all about trying to beat Belgium and getting to the semis."
Wales are unbeaten in their last three games against Belgium and won their last meeting 12 months ago.
Bale was on target as Wales won a Euro 2016 qualifier 1-0 in Cardiff and took a huge stride towards playing at this summer's finals.
"We're like their bogey team, aren't we?" said Bale, referring to that victory and two previous draws in Brussels.
"Hopefully that edge gets into their heads - you never know.
"We will definitely draw on those qualifiers, it gives us more knowledge on them.
"We know how to play against them and how they play.
"We know it will be a different game from the qualifiers and it is a more pressurised situation.
"But we understand what they are about, how they work, and we will hone our game plan to try and stop them but help our attack."
Bale praised the role played by manager Chris Coleman since he succeeded the late Gary Speed in January 2012.
Coleman had a difficult start in the job and a poor 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign included 6-1 and 3-0 defeats to Serbia.
But Coleman managed to turn things round in dramatic style and Bale says he strikes the perfect balance in camp.
"When he came in it was a difficult circumstance and he wanted to try and keep it similar to how it had been, and not change too much, too soon," said Bale.
"Obviously results did not go the right way, so he put his own stamp of authority on it and it has paid massive dividends.
"He has that bit of banter with us, but you know when it comes to the hard work he will give you a rollocking if he has to.
"He has a joke and a laugh, but when it comes down to it you know how serious he is and you do not want to get on the wrong side of him.
"There have been half-time team talks where he has had to stick the boot in slightly to get it the right way.
"That is normal, but he hits the nail on the head."
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