Monday 13 October 2014 10:27, UK
Charalampos Christodoulou says Gareth Bale is a world-class player but adds that his Cyprus team will not focus their attentions solely on the Wales winger when the teams meet in Cardiff on Monday evening.
Cyprus are in the Welsh capital ahead of their European qualifier against the hosts who are currently top of Group B.
Real Madrid star Bale has netted 10 goals in his last 12 international appearances and Christodoulou admits: "He is a great player, of course, and we have to be very careful with him because he can win a game by himself.
"But we are playing the whole of the Wales team and this is our plan – to think about the Wales team not only Bale.
"We have to face a very strong and experienced Wales team with top-class players who play for big clubs in Europe.
"All of our opponents are favourites against us. Wales is not a big name in European football but they are a very good side."
The visitors have won just one match in two years and Christodoulou adds: "We are trying to make a new team and all the players are giving their utmost.
Our plan – to think about the Wales team not only Bale.
"In our group, Belgium is a very strong team and should be first place in the group.
"The rest of the teams will fight for second and third place and the results, so far, show all the teams have the right to dream for second and third place in the group."
As for Monday’s match, he went on: "We should not allow our opponents to play the way they want but it will be a British-style game.
"We have a short period between matches but we have experienced players who will be ready enough mentally for the game.
"Most of them have played in European competition and have the experience required to play two games in a short period.”
