It can be hard to look ahead when there are tears in the eyes.
And yet Wales have no choice after the pain of penalties once again means a major finals will take place without them.
Craig Bellamy’s squad did not want to be looking towards tournaments beyond this summer’s World Cup.
But having been beaten in Cardiff by Bosnia-Herzegovina on spot-kicks in Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final, it is the only thing they can do.
“We’ve got so much more to come,” said Dan James.
The winger’s spectacular strike early in the second half had put Wales on course to face Italy in a play-off final on Tuesday but Edin Dzeko’s late header steered the night in a different direction.
“It just wasn’t meant to be but we always speak about ‘together stronger’ and that’s what we are,” James added.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to play for this team. We’ll dust ourselves down because we’ve got so much to look forward to.”