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Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'

Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'

Yahoo6 hours ago

Craig Bellamy has no fear ahead of Wales' World Cup qualifier away to Belgium (VIRGINIE LEFOUR)
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.
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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.
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"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.
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"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.
Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams also misses out after rolling his ankle against Liechtenstein.
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