I flew to Qatar to watch England vs Wales… my girlfriend gave me an ultimatum – but I couldn’t miss this match

A DIEHARD Wales fan flew to Qatar to watch England take on his team in the World Cup - without telling his girlfriend.

David 'Dai' Jones' other half had warned him she would pack her bags if he went, but the dad-of-two still jumped on a plane to Doha.

The footie-mad Welshman, 33, headed on his spur-of-the-moment trip after seeing his best pals partying at the tournament from their base in Dubai.

His fear of missing out saw him embark on a hellish 24-hour journey on Monday after his friends helped him secure a ticket and visa.

David, from Pontypridd in South Wales, brushed off the ultimatum delivered by his girlfriend of 11 years and simply turned his phone off.

He was desperate to watch his team take on the Three Lions - despite them suffering an almighty thrashing by Gareth Southgate's men.

The spontaneous supporter was forced to sleep in Hamad International Airport after arriving with no accommodation booked.

But he roused from his awkward slumber and headed straight to a pre-match party being held by Wales supporters at the Intercontinental the City hotel.

David explained: "I didn't have a ticket to come out originally because my girlfriend said I couldn't afford it - she still thinks I can't afford it now.

"She said if you go that's it, but I said if I didn't go I'd never forgive her.

"I saw my friends having the time of their lives in Dubai and going to the first two matches and I just thought I have to be there.

"It's Wales' first World Cup in 64 years - and that's it.

"The three of us have been following Wales away for years and we're the 'three amigos', and now the band is back together."

The electrician continued: "I did everything but gain her acceptance to go.

"And I thought she might get over it in time, but I never would, so I made the decision to come.

"She rang my dad because my phone was off and he told her I'd be home in a few days."

His best mates James Lewis, 32, and Jamie Shipp, 31, helped him arrange the mammoth 24-hour journey that saw him first take an overnight coach from Cardiff to Heathrow.

He then had to quickly catch another bus to Stansted before boarding a plane to Turkey to catch a connecting flight to Doha.

I thought she might get over it in time, but I never would, so I made the decision to come.

David 'Dai' Jones

Pal Lewis, also from Pontypridd, said: "We came out here and then he was saying all week that he wanted to be out here with us.

"It feels amazing to have him here, I've known him since we were small and we've always travelled to watch Wales together."

Jamie added: "He's mad, but he's the best. I do feel sorry for his girlfriend though."

The trio beamed in snaps as they donned the iconic colourful bucket hats in support of their team.

But David was then forced to race against the clock after watching Wales get blown away by three quickfire goals - as his boss was also on his back about the impromptu trip.

The dad had to rush back to the airport and board a plane home just after 4am after being warned he would be sacked if he is not back in work on Thursday.

Wales fans were left disappointed after The Dragons crashed out of the World Cup after failing to bag a 4-0 win.

The USA sailed through to the next round alongside England from Group B after beating Iran 1-0.

A whopping 8,000 Three Lions fans watched the game live in Qatar alongside 6,000 from Wales.

England have not lost to Wales since 1984 and are unbeaten in the last six meetings between the two nations.

They last came head-to-head in an official tournament at Euro 2016 when the Three Lions beat the Dragons 2-1.