Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium
Craig Bellamy promised not to sit back and defend against group favourites Belgium on Monday after brushing aside Liechtenstein to go top of their World Cup qualifying group.
Wales coasted to a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein, the world's 205th ranked team, as second-half goals from Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore added to Joe Rodon's 39th-minute opener.
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It was defender Rodon's first international goal and Wales had complete domination of a one-sided contest with 27 goal attempts to zero.
Wales face a far tougher challenge in Brussels, although the Dragons did have the bonus of Belgium being held 1-1 in North Macedonia on Friday night, thanks to a late home equaliser.
Bellamy said: '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.
'I've got a little bit more in my head, but I'm really excited about it. I'll try and absorb this one but then, yeah, get ready for that.'
Victory took Wales to the top of their World Cup qualifying section with seven points from three games – but Bellamy could not resist a dig at the Welsh ball boys on the perimeter of the pitch.
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'There is a lot I liked,' said Bellamy. 'I'd really like us to make this six, seven, eight. That's what we need to push.
'These games have never been easy four our nation. We have a proven record of that.
'The mentality of the players was really good. Did we expect to win? Of course we did. Did we expect such a slow game?
Joe Rodon celebrated after scoring the first goal of his Wales career (Nigel French/PA)
'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!'
Victory came at a price 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.
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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.
Neco Williams leaft the pitch distraught after being carried off on a stretcher in Wales' 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein (Nigel French/PA)
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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an hour ago
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Three years away from the Olympics, L.A. is tripping over hurdles and trying to play catchup
Los Angeles is now a mere 12 months away from serving as primary host of the World Cup soccer championships, and three years away from taking the world stage as host of both the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Athletes and tourists by the tens of thousands will pour into the region from around the world, and I'm reminded of the classic film 'Sunset Boulevard,' in which Gloria Swanson proclaimed, 'I'm ready for my close-up.' Will L.A. be ready for its close-up? That's a question I intend to explore on a semi-regular basis, and you're invited to worry and wonder along with me by sending your comments and questions to To let you know where I'm coming from, I'm a sports fan who watches the Olympics on television despite the politics, the doping scandals and the corporatization of the Games. But I'm also a professional skeptic, and my questions extend far beyond whether we're ready for our close-up. Here are just a few: Will the benefits of hosting outweigh the burdens? 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