by Suzanne Beishon

A GARETH BALE-inspired Wales win over high-ranking Belgium shows that the side are now a world force, said confident manager Chris Coleman yesterday.

Wales stand on the verge of securing their first major tournament appearance in 58 years after their 1-0 win in the Euro 2016 qualifier against the Red Devils on Friday night.

The jubilant Welsh victory over a Belgium side currently ranked second in the world means that Wales are set to rocket up the rankings themselves — into the top 10 for the first time in their history — and will now claim a place amongst the elite as a top seed for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg.

Wales extended their unbeaten run in competitive football to eight games and took a three-point lead at the top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group. “We are now a player on the world stage,” said Coleman.

“We have to stop thinking of ourselves as little old Wales and we have done that.”

Musing on the potential of his side to do well in the tournament he added: “We think this is a campaign where we can do something special and we are up there on merit.”

Alongside Bale, a host of talented Welsh players, including Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, have helped the Dragons’ quality soar.

On the Welsh climb up the rankings Coleman said: “It takes time to climb the rankings, especially when you consider we were 112th, and it has been a big turnaround from where we were.”

When asked about the possibility of leapfrogging England on the Fifa list he replied: “I don’t think it has ever happened and it would be a nice bonus.

“We have chipped away at it over the last couple of years and we have to keep doing that because football changes quickly.”

Star man from Real Madrid Bale chalked up his 17th goal for his country and his fifth of the currently campaign, moving to sixth on Wales’s list of all-time top goal scorers.