Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'
BRUSSELS: Craig Bellamy said his first year in charge of Wales has been the best of his life as he puts his undefeated record on the line in Monday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker has enjoyed a dream start to his first managerial role with five wins and four draws in nine games.
Avoiding defeat in Brussels would match the Welsh record of 10 games undefeated set under Mark Hughes between 2001 and 2003.
But Bellamy has no fear of defeat against a Belgian side ranked eighth in the world.
"It's going to happen (losing a game). Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don't live that way," said Bellamy at his pre-match press conference.
"I've had so many setbacks in my life, it's ok, I'm still here. And I've actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best.
"How did I get that at 45? It's what I've been waiting for but, at the same time, it's like I don't know what's around the corner.
"But I know what I'm going to do. Enjoy everything. The good, the bad, whatever it is."
Group J leaders Wales are six points clear of Belgium after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday.
Bellamy's men have taken seven points from their first three qualifiers, while Belgium began their campaign with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday.
That six-point gap has put early pressure on Belgium, who have won only one of their last eight games and are under new management in former Napoli and Lyon boss Rudi Garcia.
"We've done everything we could. That's the honest truth," added Bellamy.
"I've just loved every moment because they train, they work, they show up, and to have that is amazing.
"I don't to have say, 'that wasn't good enough, no, we need to be sharper'. Never once I had to. So they give you energy."
Wales are again without Leeds winger Daniel James, who has failed to recover from illness after missing the Liechtenstein win.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
38 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Shooters not in Munich to make up the numbers, says coach
KUALA LUMPUR: With the Bangkok Sea Games on the horizon (Dec), national air pistol coach Firdaus Abd Rahim is hoping his charges will gain a shot of confidence from competing at the Munich Rifle-Pistol World Cup on June 10-15. Seasoned campaigners such as Olympian Johnathan Wong, Alia Sazana Azahari and Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan have been selected for the squad, which also features up-and-coming shooters Wan Muhammad Syafiq Wan Mustaza, Cheah Zen Hong and Nurul Syasya Nadiah Mohd Ariffin. Firdaus is expecting his shooters to raise their game in Munich. He expressed concerns about Syasya's recent performances. "I want promising shooters like Syafiq, Zen Hong and Syasya to treat this World Cup not as mere exposure but as vital preparation for the Sea Games," said Firdaus when contacted today (June 9). "I want them to show a good level in the competition and not just make up the numbers. "Syasya has been performing below expectations lately and her progress has been slow. "But we are working closely with her to identify the issues and implement the necessary corrections to help her improve." The National Shooting Association of Malaysia has set a top-15 finish as the target for the national contingent in Munich. Syafiq, Johnathan, and Zen Hong are set to compete in the men's 10m air pistol qualifying round tomorrow (June 10). At the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games, Malaysia bagged two gold medals in shooting through Johnathan and Syasya in the men's and women's 10m air pistol events. The sport was excluded from the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games but will make its comeback at the Bangkok Games in December.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'
BRUSSELS: Craig Bellamy said his first year in charge of Wales has been the best of his life as he puts his undefeated record on the line in Monday's World Cup qualifier against Belgium. The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker has enjoyed a dream start to his first managerial role with five wins and four draws in nine games. Avoiding defeat in Brussels would match the Welsh record of 10 games undefeated set under Mark Hughes between 2001 and 2003. But Bellamy has no fear of defeat against a Belgian side ranked eighth in the world. "It's going to happen (losing a game). Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don't live that way," said Bellamy at his pre-match press conference. "I've had so many setbacks in my life, it's ok, I'm still here. And I've actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best. "How did I get that at 45? It's what I've been waiting for but, at the same time, it's like I don't know what's around the corner. "But I know what I'm going to do. Enjoy everything. The good, the bad, whatever it is." Group J leaders Wales are six points clear of Belgium after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday. Bellamy's men have taken seven points from their first three qualifiers, while Belgium began their campaign with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday. That six-point gap has put early pressure on Belgium, who have won only one of their last eight games and are under new management in former Napoli and Lyon boss Rudi Garcia. "We've done everything we could. That's the honest truth," added Bellamy. "I've just loved every moment because they train, they work, they show up, and to have that is amazing. "I don't to have say, 'that wasn't good enough, no, we need to be sharper'. Never once I had to. So they give you energy." Wales are again without Leeds winger Daniel James, who has failed to recover from illness after missing the Liechtenstein win.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Brentford star Wissa scores in Congolese victory
JOHANNESBURG: Brentford striker Yoane Wissa was among the goals as the Democratic Republic of Congo beat Madagascar 3-1 on Sunday in a warm-up match for 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The 28-year-old, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season for the Bees, struck after 33 minutes with a close-range shot that beat goalkeeper Sonny Laiton at his near post. Earlier, Turkey-based Simon Banza had put the Congolese ahead, and he scored again midway through the second half in French city Orleans. El Hadary Raheriniaina reduced the arrears in added time for Madagascar, who lie 54 places below DR Congo in the world rankings. DR Congo are one point ahead of Senegal and Sudan in a World Cup qualifying group and will have home advantage over both rivals later this year. They are hoping to return to the global football showpiece for the first time since 1974. The country was called Zaire then and they suffered a humiliating 9-0 drubbing from Yugoslavia in a group match. Veteran Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes calmly converted an 80th-minute penalty to earn the tiny west African island nation a 1-1 draw against Georgia in Kutaisi. Cape Verde, who came to the Caucasus after a three-goal victory over Malaysia, had fallen behind in first half added time when Saba Lobjanidze scored off a far-post header. Reigning African champions the Ivory Coast fielded an experimental side against 2026 World Cup qualifiers New Zealand and lost 1-0 in Toronto. The Ivorians had looked the likelier team to score in the first half only to fall behind on 41 minutes when Elijah Just struck. Benni McCarthy, a former Manchester United first-team coach, is still seeking his first victory in charge of Kenya after a 0-0 draw with Chad in Moroccan city Marrakesh. The scorer of a record 32 goals for South Africa during a playing career that included spells in the Premier League and La Liga, has drawn twice and lost once since being appointed this year. - AFP
