Craig Bellamy has made clear that Wales will go to Belgium with an attacking mindset, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein that kept his side top of Group J in World Cup qualifying.
Wales extended their unbeaten run under Bellamy to nine matches, confidently asserting their dominance in Cardiff with goals from Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, and Kieffer Moore.
The result moves them two points clear at the summit, though Belgium, Monday’s opponents in Brussels, have two games in hand.
Despite Belgium’s surprise 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday, Bellamy dismissed any notion that the pressure is now on the Red Devils.
“No, I don't. These games can happen. They haven't lost,” he said when asked if Belgium’s dropped points changes the dynamic.
“Did I expect them to get three points? I did. I need to see the game back to give you a better rundown on what happened and how it happened, and even for myself. But, yeah, North Macedonia played their part, so good.”
Looking ahead to the test in Brussels, Bellamy underlined his commitment to attacking football — regardless of the opposition.
“We go there and I'm not camping. I'm not sitting back. It's not in my make-up. I can't do it, I don't want to do it.
So let me watch the game a little bit more. I've got a little bit more in my head but I'm really excited about it.”
Against Liechtenstein, ranked 205th in the world, Wales controlled proceedings from start to finish.
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They had 26 shots, 54 touches in the opposition box, and didn’t allow their visitors a single effort on goal.
Still, Bellamy saw room for improvement.
“There is a lot I liked. I'd really like us to make this six, seven, eight. That's what we need to push,” he said.
“These games have never been easy for our nation. We have a proven record of that and the chances we created we could make this more.
“We'll get to that, but I liked the reactions as soon as we lose we get it back. The mentality of the players was really good. Did we expect to win? Of course we did.
“Did we expect such a slow game? I felt our ball boys could have been a bit quicker.
We are at home so we have a choice in that as well. I'm going to be looking for them in a bit – I'm not, I'm joking.”
The breakthrough came just before the interval when Rodon headed in Sorba Thomas’ corner to notch his first goal for Wales.
Wilson and Moore added to the tally after the break, sealing a win that Ben Davies believes sets the tone for the upcoming clash in Belgium.
“I think the three points was the most important thing,” Davies told Match of the Day Wales.
“We dominated the game, we knew it was going to be one of those nights where we had a lot of the ball and it was all about getting the goal.
“From our point of view, I don't think too many changes for the Belgium game. We know we need to go there and get a good result, and that's what we hope to do.”
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Wales' ability to maintain focus in matches like this marks a stark contrast to past stumbles in similar fixtures.
Under Bellamy, there’s a renewed consistency — and a determination to impose their style against all opponents, including the group’s strongest team.
“We could have made it a lot more [goals], and we'd like to make it a lot more,” Bellamy added.
“There were good chances created, I liked how we controlled it, so yeah, it was a good win, of course – like every win is on the international stage.
“When the ball was in play, we were really sharp. As soon as they had the ball, our reactions were brilliant, which I really wanted; I demanded that today. They couldn't build anything to get anywhere near our goal.
“It's really important, we want to be like that in every game.”
Victory came at a price, though, as Neco Williams, one of Wales’ best performers since Bellamy took charge last summer, was forced off midway through the first half with a nasty-looking injury.
The Nottingham Forest full-back, in trying to cross on the byline midway through the first half, landed awkwardly and was in obvious pain before leaving the field on a stretcher.
Williams appears a serious doubt for Monday’s clash with Belgium.
“Give us a few hours,” said Bellamy. “We just don’t know. We’ll find out tomorrow morning (Saturday).
“The medical staff will be racing with it, we’ll make sure he’s looked after.
“We’ll find more and relay that message as soon as we know.”
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