Wales defeated Bulgaria 1-0 in Sofia on Tuesday night in the final Euro 2012 qualifying game, giving the Dragons back-to-back victories in competitive fixtures for the first time since 2005. The win was also a third in four qualifiers, and picking up three points on the road has further increased hopes that this young Welsh squad can launch a genuine challenge for a place at the 2014 World Cup.
Bale said: "We're building under the new manager and heading in the right direction. We all know what our ultimate goal is but we've got to keep working hard, this is just the beginning.
"It's been a great year really. We all knew how disappointed everyone was with how the campaign started (with four straight defeats) and how it was going. But since the new gaffer has come in, we're improving all the time.
"He's organised us well, we're trying things and getting the ball down and playing and scoring goals.
"We know there is a long way to go but all the lads are working hard to achieve that long-term goal. It's all steps in the right direction at the moment."
"It's important (to have big-name players available), but it's not about individuals, it's about the team," added Bale.
"We're not a big nation so we need every player to come in and play well. As soon as a game comes, we need everyone to be coming if they are not injured.
"If we give it our all, as all the players have shown with their commitment this year, then we can of course do well.
"The 2014 World Cup is our target. We're not about to come into it to make up the numbers. We have the players and have the squad now to do well. That is our aim.
"We want to achieve something for Wales, we feel we can do that."