Craig Bellamy leapt to the defence of Joe Allen after the veteran midfielder’s late mistake so nearly cost Wales in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against North Macedonia.
Allen, introduced in the closing stages to help secure victory, saw his under-hit back pass intercepted by Bojan Miovski, who coolly slotted past Karl Darlow in the first minute of stoppage time.
However, David Brooks salvaged a point for Wales with virtually the last kick of the game, turning in Kieffer Moore’s knockdown in the sixth added minute.
While the dramatic ending extended Bellamy’s unbeaten start as Wales manager to eight matches, he was quick to take responsibility for Allen’s costly lapse.
“I know people will say it is Joe Allen’s mistake, but I ask him to play in this way. I demand it,” Bellamy said.
“But then watch his reaction, he was immediately able to get on the ball and not hide.
“Any young players in the squad, and we do have a lot, see an example of the outstanding footballer that he is.
“I’m happy for him (that Wales equalised) because he’s helped me out so much. I hope they build a statue for him one day.”
Wales had been in control for much of the contest at the Tose Proeski Arena, dominating possession and creating the better chances.
Brennan Johnson came closest to breaking the deadlock when his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Visar Musliu.
Despite North Macedonia being ranked 67th in the world—38 places below Wales—Bellamy’s side found themselves staring at an unexpected defeat before Brooks’ late heroics.
Reflecting on the match, Bellamy admitted he was torn between frustration and relief.
“If I look at the game, we were in control but football can find a cruel way sometimes,” he said.
“I thought maybe it was meant to be for them today but then when you see a group of players ready, it just didn’t feel like it was over for me.
“Maybe because I haven’t suffered defeat in a short reign, but I still felt there was something more.
“To watch it then happen was like ‘Wow’ but, at the same time, to come away with a point actually leaves me disappointed.”
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Both Wales and North Macedonia now have four points from two matches after winning their opening qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, respectively.
With Group J favorites Belgium yet to begin their campaign, Bellamy acknowledged that time would tell how valuable this draw might be.
“It could be a very precious one,” he admitted. “But I feel probably on the performance, I think the way I looked at the game, I think we needed three.”
For Bellamy, though, one of the biggest takeaways from the match was Allen’s resilience—an example he hopes his younger players will follow.
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