logo
Craig Bellamy: Wales will prepare for Liechtenstein the same way as any opponent

Craig Bellamy: Wales will prepare for Liechtenstein the same way as any opponent

Independenta day ago

Wales boss Craig Bellamy says one of the world's worst football teams Liechtenstein have given him sleepless nights ahead of their World Cup qualifier.
Liechtenstein are among the whipping boys of world football and ranked 205th out of FIFA's 210 nations.
They have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March to North Macedonia and Kazakhstan 3-0 and 2-0 respectively.
'We win the game, that's it, That's the honest truth,' Bellamy said at his pre-match press conference.
'I don't care about scorelines. We have to win, that's all we're working for this week.
'We've prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else. It doesn't matter who we play against.
'I've watched the same amount of games on Liechtenstein as I have for every other team. My psyche can't work any different.
'I honestly believe if you disrespect the game it will catch you out. Do I understand people looking past it? Of course I do.
'But I was up late last night. I didn't sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same.
'The same messages have been fed to the players. It doesn't matter.'
Wales opened their World Cup campaign in March with a 3-1 home victory over Kazakhstan and a last-gasp 1-1 draw in North Macedonia.
The Dragons know a far tougher test against group favourites Belgium lies ahead in Brussels on Monday.
Bellamy has utilised much of his squad in previous double-headers since being appointed last summer.
He is likely to do so again with such a quick turnaround before the Belgium game, although Leeds winger Daniel James is likely to miss out against Liechtenstein.
'Unfortunately Dan picked up an illness so we've had to separate him from the group,' said Bellamy.
'We can't afford to have any other players infected.
'We're monitoring him and monitoring the situation, but we've got cover. It's OK.'
Captain Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson have joined up for international duty after helping Tottenham to Europa League glory against Manchester United.
Johnson scored the winner in the Bilbao final to end Tottenham's 17-year wait for a trophy.
Davies said: 'We had a couple of days celebrating, but you keep going on that merry-go-round and the next game seems to come up.
'I think Brennan has shown this year that he's a top, top player and proven a lot of people wrong.
'We've got full confidence in him in this Wales squad, that he can replicate his form at the club, here.
'We love having him around the place and I feel we've got the best Brennan at the moment.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra
Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra

South Wales Guardian

time27 minutes ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra

After the German coach's reign began with Wembley wins against Albania and Latvia, the Euro 2024 runners-up resume qualification against the side sat 173rd in FIFA's world rankings. Tuchel's first away game as England boss is being played in Barcelona rather than Andorra, who have lost all six previous meetings and are available at 120/1 with one bookmaker to win at the RCDE Stadium. The 51-year-old knows it is a matter of how many his side win by on Saturday, when he wants the team to show patience and persistence. 'It will be on us to get going,' Tuchel said. 'I think it is on us to keep the tempo high, it is on us to bring the energy to the pitch. 'It is on us to bring the attacking energy to the pitch and to do this in a relentless way. 'I can fully understand that this is not the easiest time of the season for an international break. The players come from a short break of holiday, from a long and tiring season and then accepting again the role. 'It can be demanding but what I feel from the group is they are to be here. Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the #ThreeLions camp as a precaution due to a minor injury. — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'We are quite new together, it's our second camp and I have trust and belief that we will do what is necessary to get the result that we want. 'We want a win. We want a clear and solid win that is never in danger. This is what we expect from us tomorrow. 'It is important not to over expect from us in terms of already a clear result, biggest chances, goals already after 10-20 minutes, and get impatient and get frustrated with ourselves. 'I think it's a test to our patience. Andorra played against Spain and it was 1-0 at half-time with a set-piece. 'It's a World Cup qualifier. Respect your opponent, you respect the quality, the defensive organisation of your opponent and you understand how difficult it is to break down.' England will be cheered on by 6,800 travelling fans in Catalonia, where the team have spent the week to help aid team bonding and preparations for next summer's warm weather World Cup. Cycling in sauna-like conditions and testing on their core body temperature have formed part of the camp, while the temperature is forecast to be 26 degrees Celsius come kick-off on Saturday. 'We just tried to figure out how the players individually react to heat because it will be a very hot and humid World Cup,' Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'We did this so that we can provide individual cooling systems and individual electrolyte drinks and so on.' Ollie Watkins was with the camp but withdrew with a minor injury on the eve of a game Tuchel confirmed Harry Kane would skipper the side. The Bayern Munich striker is among nine England players heading to this summer's Club World Cup after Tuesday's friendly against Senegal. Motivated on MD-1 🫡 — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'You get just lost if you think now about the Senegal game and then you think about the Club World Cup,' Tuchel said. 'Then you just lose focus. 'We take it step by step. We will have a serious line-up tomorrow and we think the line-up is exactly the line-up that gives us the biggest chance to put the game in our way. 'After the match, we take decisions for the Senegal match and we can maybe then think a little bit more about individual players who go after that to the Club World Cup – but tomorrow, it's a full focus on the World Cup qualifier.'

Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra
Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra

South Wales Argus

time40 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra

After the German coach's reign began with Wembley wins against Albania and Latvia, the Euro 2024 runners-up resume qualification against the side sat 173rd in FIFA's world rankings. Tuchel's first away game as England boss is being played in Barcelona rather than Andorra, who have lost all six previous meetings and are available at 120/1 with one bookmaker to win at the RCDE Stadium. The 51-year-old knows it is a matter of how many his side win by on Saturday, when he wants the team to show patience and persistence. 'It will be on us to get going,' Tuchel said. 'I think it is on us to keep the tempo high, it is on us to bring the energy to the pitch. 'It is on us to bring the attacking energy to the pitch and to do this in a relentless way. 'I can fully understand that this is not the easiest time of the season for an international break. The players come from a short break of holiday, from a long and tiring season and then accepting again the role. 'It can be demanding but what I feel from the group is they are to be here. Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the #ThreeLions camp as a precaution due to a minor injury. — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'We are quite new together, it's our second camp and I have trust and belief that we will do what is necessary to get the result that we want. 'We want a win. We want a clear and solid win that is never in danger. This is what we expect from us tomorrow. 'It is important not to over expect from us in terms of already a clear result, biggest chances, goals already after 10-20 minutes, and get impatient and get frustrated with ourselves. 'I think it's a test to our patience. Andorra played against Spain and it was 1-0 at half-time with a set-piece. 'It's a World Cup qualifier. Respect your opponent, you respect the quality, the defensive organisation of your opponent and you understand how difficult it is to break down.' England will be cheered on by 6,800 travelling fans in Catalonia, where the team have spent the week to help aid team bonding and preparations for next summer's warm weather World Cup. Harry Kane (left) is among nine England players heading to this summer's Club World Cup after Tuesday's friendly against Senegal (Bradley Collyer/PA) Cycling in sauna-like conditions and testing on their core body temperature have formed part of the camp, while the temperature is forecast to be 26 degrees Celsius come kick-off on Saturday. 'We just tried to figure out how the players individually react to heat because it will be a very hot and humid World Cup,' Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'We did this so that we can provide individual cooling systems and individual electrolyte drinks and so on.' Ollie Watkins was with the camp but withdrew with a minor injury on the eve of a game Tuchel confirmed Harry Kane would skipper the side. The Bayern Munich striker is among nine England players heading to this summer's Club World Cup after Tuesday's friendly against Senegal. 'You get just lost if you think now about the Senegal game and then you think about the Club World Cup,' Tuchel said. 'Then you just lose focus. 'We take it step by step. We will have a serious line-up tomorrow and we think the line-up is exactly the line-up that gives us the biggest chance to put the game in our way. 'After the match, we take decisions for the Senegal match and we can maybe then think a little bit more about individual players who go after that to the Club World Cup – but tomorrow, it's a full focus on the World Cup qualifier.'

Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra
Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra

Rhyl Journal

time40 minutes ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Thomas Tuchel wants ‘relentless' England performance against minnows Andorra

After the German coach's reign began with Wembley wins against Albania and Latvia, the Euro 2024 runners-up resume qualification against the side sat 173rd in FIFA's world rankings. Tuchel's first away game as England boss is being played in Barcelona rather than Andorra, who have lost all six previous meetings and are available at 120/1 with one bookmaker to win at the RCDE Stadium. The 51-year-old knows it is a matter of how many his side win by on Saturday, when he wants the team to show patience and persistence. 'It will be on us to get going,' Tuchel said. 'I think it is on us to keep the tempo high, it is on us to bring the energy to the pitch. 'It is on us to bring the attacking energy to the pitch and to do this in a relentless way. 'I can fully understand that this is not the easiest time of the season for an international break. The players come from a short break of holiday, from a long and tiring season and then accepting again the role. 'It can be demanding but what I feel from the group is they are to be here. Ollie Watkins has withdrawn from the #ThreeLions camp as a precaution due to a minor injury. — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'We are quite new together, it's our second camp and I have trust and belief that we will do what is necessary to get the result that we want. 'We want a win. We want a clear and solid win that is never in danger. This is what we expect from us tomorrow. 'It is important not to over expect from us in terms of already a clear result, biggest chances, goals already after 10-20 minutes, and get impatient and get frustrated with ourselves. 'I think it's a test to our patience. Andorra played against Spain and it was 1-0 at half-time with a set-piece. 'It's a World Cup qualifier. Respect your opponent, you respect the quality, the defensive organisation of your opponent and you understand how difficult it is to break down.' England will be cheered on by 6,800 travelling fans in Catalonia, where the team have spent the week to help aid team bonding and preparations for next summer's warm weather World Cup. Cycling in sauna-like conditions and testing on their core body temperature have formed part of the camp, while the temperature is forecast to be 26 degrees Celsius come kick-off on Saturday. 'We just tried to figure out how the players individually react to heat because it will be a very hot and humid World Cup,' Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live. 'We did this so that we can provide individual cooling systems and individual electrolyte drinks and so on.' Ollie Watkins was with the camp but withdrew with a minor injury on the eve of a game Tuchel confirmed Harry Kane would skipper the side. The Bayern Munich striker is among nine England players heading to this summer's Club World Cup after Tuesday's friendly against Senegal. Motivated on MD-1 🫡 — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'You get just lost if you think now about the Senegal game and then you think about the Club World Cup,' Tuchel said. 'Then you just lose focus. 'We take it step by step. We will have a serious line-up tomorrow and we think the line-up is exactly the line-up that gives us the biggest chance to put the game in our way. 'After the match, we take decisions for the Senegal match and we can maybe then think a little bit more about individual players who go after that to the Club World Cup – but tomorrow, it's a full focus on the World Cup qualifier.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store