Wales call-up Kpakio's 'potential ridiculously high'
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has called up Cardiff City's teenage defender Ronan Kpakio for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium in June.But the decision to add the right-back, who only turned 18 this week, to his squad is not such a surprise when you consider Bellamy has been a fan of Kpakio for some time - and even considered buying the youngster when the Wales boss was part of Burnley's backroom staff."I've known Ronan since he was very, very young, I've kept an eye on him," Bellamy said."Even last year we wanted to buy him for Burnley, so I'm fully aware, I've watched him - especially over the last couple of years, his progression has been outstanding."His potential can be ridiculously high; he's very athletic, very intelligent."If he wasn't injured I would have had him in March, as he's a player - especially in the right-back position... where we don't have a big area [of selection choices] in there, so we really need to start developing players in that position."He's the perfect profile for that."Kpakio has come through the Bluebirds academy system and has so far made only six senior appearances for the club. He made his debut in the EFL Cup last August before his first league start came on the final day of the Championship season.
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Rhyl Journal
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Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium
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. It was defender Rodon's first international goal and Wales had complete domination of a one-sided contest with 27 goal attempts to zero. Hapus iawn 😁 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 6, 2025 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. '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? '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. 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.'
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Wales cruise past Liechtenstein despite Neco Williams injury blow
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Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium
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. 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. '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. 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.'
