GARETH Bale believes Wales can continue to be Belgium’s ‘bogey team’ by ending their hopes of Euro 2016 glory on Friday night.

Wales’ overall record against the Belgians shows four wins, three draws and five defeats in 12 matches stretching back to 1949.

But Bale scored the winning goal the last time the two sides met – in a qualifier in Cardiff last June.

And Chris Coleman’s men have also earned successive draws in Brussels in October 2013 and November 2014.

“We're like their bogey team,” said Bale with a smile.

“We understand we've had good results against them but they are a top team.

“Hopefully that edge gets into their heads – you never know.

“It's about two teams on the night – how well we both perform on the night.

“But we will definitely draw on the games in qualifying.

“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 and how they work and we will hone our game plan to try and stop them but help our attack.”

Whatever happens in Lille on Friday night, Bale knows that the squad is guaranteed a great reception when they return home.

But he says the players are all fully focused on an extraordinary opportunity to go even further in their first tournament together.

“We know we have done well and the country is proud of us even if we do get knocked out,” said the Real Madrid star.

“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 and it is all about trying to beat Belgium and getting to the semis.”

And Bale believes the much-fancied Belgians will attack Wales and potentially leave space at the back for him and Aaron Ramsey to attack.

"Northern Ireland really do make it difficult, especially in the final third,” he said.

“They're a very defensive team. We knew that would be the case before the game.

“Neither me or Rambo got space but that's normal against them and we had to deal with it. It doesn't matter how you win as long as you win.

"Belgium are not a defensive team, they're a very attacking team. If there are spaces it will be good for us."