Welsh football had known hope before. Now there was an expectation.
Wales has not played in a major championship since the 1958 World Cup, but with international players like Bill and Aaron Ramsay in their prime, there was an increasing belief that waiting had ended soon.
After years of noise and assumptions about this golden generation, Wales began her 2016 qualifying campaign in a way that she proposed, this time, this was real.
In its five opening matches, in June 2015, Wells hosted a Belgian team in the world – and the likes of Aden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and De Bruyne – have already carried them in a precious draw in Brussels.
“We were going to this game, he was not expected to win, but we worked hard,” says Lidley. “You want to play against the best players in the world, and for me, Belgium was that team.
“Fitness levels were everywhere. A few of our players were completed in the championship and the first league three weeks ago. You can see those who were far from the boys' vacation!”
If the preparations are not perfect, Wales hide it well with an active and disciplined width.
Director Chris Coleman had spread a surprise by choosing his team as Fringe Swansea City Defender Jazz Richards began on the right. Chris Gunter, who usually played there, moved to the right of the back for the first time in his international career.
It has proven to be an inspiring step because they strangled the Premier League threat this year, Hazard, to the left of Belgium.
“The unity and the entire defensive team were, and all our roles and responsibilities were really clear. We had confidence in who was playing in every situation,” Gunter recalls.
“The goal before any campaign was to qualify and we always said that we needed to start a good job and get some momentum, so we did that. Then it was right, if we were serious about this, we have to take points from the best team in the group.”
“She had all the components of a really private football night in Wales. It was Friday night, there was rain, but it was warm and the atmosphere was incredible.”
Wales made an offer to match this occasion, as Bill launched the Thibbot Courtois last half to send Cardif City to Raptures.
Belgium pressed for the equalizer, but, inspired by a crowd offer from the home crowd and Wellens the national anthem, Wales clung to his heroic victory.
“The belief after this result, you may feel it, not only with American players, but also with fans, and you can feel that we are about to qualify,” says Lidley.
“Fans play a huge role. I think at the Cardiff City stadium that night, they made us on the finish line.”
More than that possible, you made this qualified result possible.
Even with three points in their team at the top of the qualified group, some Wales fans still need some convincing.
After all, 57 years have passed since Wales has been in a major championship, and that arid period was full of painful tales from Misses near.
But this time it was different.
“There was a real belief in the changing room and the team, and perhaps for the fans, hope and despair was more for us to do this,” Gunter says.
“I definitely think after this victory, everyone really believes.”
Victory in Cyprus in the next September, Wales placed in the impressive distance, only in order to equal Goalless at home to Israel to delay the celebrations.
Once waiting for 57 years, it does not seem a long month. Wales recently closed the rehabilitation of Bosnia-Hergovina when they suffered from their only defeat in the campaign, but their place in France confirmed the victory of Cyprus in Israel.
When the rain was poured into Zenika, Wales lived the moment of vents, which were launched from their history restrictions, and dreamed of the next golden summer.
