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Craig Bellamy, Wales, and an Obsession with Detail That’s About to Face its Biggest Test

Craig Bellamy, the head coach/manager of Wales. Pic: Alamy

Craig Bellamy, the head coach/manager of Wales. Pic: Alamy

The crunch moment has arrived for Craig Bellamy, as Ian Mitchelmore reports.

The 46-year-old head coach has led Wales to the World Cup play-offs, and now has the task of overseeing two wins that will secure the Red Dragons' place at this summer's global showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Just as he spoke at length about the opposition before his side took on Turkey in the Nations League in his opening match as boss in September 2024, Bellamy will no doubt have spent several months preparing for this semi-final showdown with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night.

But there are some things that will not have taken a great deal of research to reveal.

Welsh fans will know all about lethal frontman Edin Dzeko, scorer of five goals during his side's qualifying campaign.

READ MORE: The Eagle Can Rise . . . Brennan Johnson Backed by Craig Bellamy to Give Wings to Wales’ World Cup Bid

The former Manchester City, Inter Milan and Roma forward, currently at German outfit Schalke 04, turned 40 years of age just last week but remains as pivotal as ever to his nation's hopes of reaching the World Cup for only the second time in their history.

There are other threats, though, and Bellamy will no doubt have in-depth data and knowledge of each of those who will proudly represent Zmajevi (The Dragons) in the Welsh capital.

The likes of former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac, currently with Serie A side Atalanta, and Amir Hadziahmetovic, who is on loan at Championship Hull City from Turkish side Besiktas, are also among the notable names Bellamy will undoubtedly have prepared dossiers on.

READ MORE: King Harry . . . Wilson is Now Wales’ True Leader for Craig Bellamy

Sergej Barbarez's side lost just once, to eventual group winners Austria, in eight qualifying games, and it goes some way to explaining exactly why Bellamy has zero interest in discussing a potential final against either Italy or Northern Ireland when such a stern semi-final test awaits his troops.

The squad linked up at the Football Association of Wales' Vale Resort training base in Hensol on Sunday night, and the work swiftly began as the head coach looked to make full use of the limited time he had available with his players.

Many names appear to be certainties to be included in Wales' starting line-up.

READ MORE: Craig Bellamy Backs Harry Wilson to Open the Gates to World Cup Qualification

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, centre-back Joe Rodon, full-back Neco Williams, midfielder Ethan Ampadu and magic man Harry Wilson are among those who would be considered shock omissions should they not feature in the 11 who take to the field from the outset on Thursday night, and again five days later in either a final or the most dead of dead rubbers known to mankind.

But there are other areas that will have given Bellamy plenty to ponder over recent weeks, and it's fair to say the head coach is no stranger to springing a surprise or two, either.

Does he go with Swansea City's Ben Cabango or Cardiff City starlet Dylan Lawlor alongside Rodon at the heart of the defence? Or is there another surprise inclusion in that position, perhaps?

Does Jordan James, one of the shining lights in what has been a dismal season for Leicester City in the second tier, partner Ampadu?

Sorba Thomas, Dan James, David Brooks, Nathan Broadhead and Brennan Johnson all have strong cases for selection, while Mark Harris, Josh Sheehan and Liam Cullen have also been well utilised by the current Wales boss.

Bellamy enjoyed many memorable occasions during his own playing career, but unfortunately, very few of those were on the international stage.

The opportunity to do the business in front of a raucous Cardiff City Stadium is one he will relish, such is his love and passion for the team he is now leading from the sidelines.

And while there was a strong sense of 'what if' following the gut-wrenching penalty shoot-out loss to Poland in the Euro 2024 play-off final two years ago this week under Rob Page, there will almost certainly be no such sentiment come the end of the current international break, regardless of whether Wales succeed or fail in their quest to reach back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history.

Bellamy's Wales will leave it all out there, and, ultimately, that's all the Red Wall can ask for.

 

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