JOE Allen was just 13 when he watched Russia crush Wales’ hopes of qualifying for Euro 2004 and he is determined to have no regrets after tonight’s Euro 2016 group stage decider.

Allen and teammate Gareth Bale were both at the Millennium Stadium in November 2003 to witness Mark Hughes’s men lose 1-0 to the Russians and miss out on the finals in Portugal the following summer.

Now, 12-and-a-half years later, Wales have a chance to avenge that defeat as they face Russia in Toulouse in their final Group B match at the Euros.

“I was there and I remember it very well,” said Allen of the 2003 play-off. “To go so close at the time was difficult. It was just heartache.

“We probably didn’t feel we would have to wait this long. I think that was the feeling – that the benchmark had been set and next time we would probably get there but it wasn’t to be.

“We have had to patient, everyone has had to be patient.

“I think whatever happens in this tournament, this group understands that this isn’t purely and simply about this tournament, it’s about establishing Wales on the international scene long term.”

In the short term, however, Allen says the current crop must avoid the fate of Ryan Giggs and teammates all those years ago.

“We understand that this is for all of us not just a key part of our careers, it’s such a key part of our lives,” said the Liverpool midfielder.

“Further down the line I have no doubt that all of us in this team will be in a position to look back and be proud.”

Asked if this was a defining moment in his career, Allen said: “You don’t want it to be the be all and end all in the sense that you take your foot off the pedal at any time in the future.

“You want to make sure that this is something that we get to experience again but playing at this stage as a footballer is the highest level and we certainly want to make sure that there are no regrets on our part.”

A point tonight should be enough to see Chris Coleman’s men through to the last-16 in France.

And, one thing is certain, Allen and teammates are not ready to go home just yet.

“We’re confident we’ll do the business,” said the 26-year-old. “I think coming off the pitch no matter what happens we want to make sure that we throw absolutely everything at it. We don’t want to have any regrets.

“We’re confident that we can get ourselves into the knockout rounds and after that who knows what could happen?”

South Wales Argus: