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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

6,500 Wales fans finally just sang the anthem again and it was very special

This was the moment the Welsh national anthem was finally sung again by fans at a major sporting event.

A select number of Wales fans returned to a live match for the first time in more than 18 months as Rob Page's men took on Albania in a friendly on Saturday.

It was an emotional rendition, with the backing music turned off halfway through to leave the passionate Welsh public to deliver a rousing noise all on their own.

The Red Dragons host the European minnows at Cardiff City Stadium in what is their final preparation game ahead of the upcoming European Championships.

Supporters have not been able to attend a Wales fixture since they defeated Hungary 2-0 in the Welsh capital in November 2019 - a result that secured a place at Euro 2020.

But 6,500 members of the Red Wall were permitted to attend the Euro warm-up contest with Albania at the home of Cardiff City as part of a Welsh Government trial.

During the pandemic, crowd noise from previous national anthems was played over the stadium's PA system to accompany the efforts of the players and coaching staff.

Will Wales reach the knockout stages of Euro 2020? Have your say in the comments section here.

However, with around 20% of Cardiff City Stadium full for the contest with Albania, supporters were able to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau live at a Wales game for the first time in a year-and-a-half.

Wales travel to Azerbaijan on Monday to prepare for their opening Euro 2020 fixture against Switzerland in Baku on Saturday, June 12.

They then face Turkey in the same city four days later before rounding off the group stage against Italy in Rome on Sunday, June 20.

Follow live updates from Wales v Albania right here.

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