Latest news with #NecoWilliams
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Is Belgium vs Wales on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch World Cup qualifier
Wales travel to Brussels on Monday evening hoping to extend their lead at the top of Group J when they take on Belgium in what could be a defining clash in World Cup qualifying. Belgium are the highest ranked team in the group but drew 1-1 with North Macedonia on Friday in the first of their qualifying matches. In contrast, Wales defeated Liechtenstein 3-0 thanks to goals from Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson, and Kieffer Moore which put them on top of the group with seven points from three games. Craig Bellamy has yet to taste defeat since taking over from Rob Page as Wales manager but faces his biggest test away from home against a Belgium side with something to prove. Here's everything you need to know: When is Belgium vs Wales? The game between Belgium and Wales kicks off at 7.45pm at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels. How can I watch it? Viewers in Wales can watch the match on BBC One Wales, with television coverage also available on BBC Three and S4C. Coverage begins at 7.30pm and a live stream will be available via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer. Belgium v Wales team news Rudi Garcia has plenty of options to choose from for Belgium and is likely to start a slightly stronger team than the one fielded against North Macedonia. Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans should come into the XI alongside Kevin De Bruyne while they may also be changes in defence. Wales are without Neco Williams who was carried off the pitch during the win over Liechtenstein with an knock and confirmed on social media that he will be absent. Daniel James missed the last match with illness and is being monitored while Aaron Ramsey remains sidelined. Cardiff defender Dylan Lawlor has been called in as cover for Williams. Odds Belgium win 4/11 Draw 11/4 Wales win 6/1 The Independent vets betting sites free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Williams out of Belgium tie as Wales call up Lawlor
Neco Williams was taken off during the first half at Cardiff City Stadium [Getty Images] World Cup qualifier: Belgium v Wales Venue: King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels Date: Monday, 9 June Kick off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Advertisement Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams will miss Wales' World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Monday. Williams, 24, was substituted 21 minutes into Wales' 3-0 win over Liechtenstein. The former Liverpool full-back went down in agony after attempting a cross in a one-sided opening at Cardiff City Stadium, leaving the pitch on a stretcher following treatment. "Give us a few hours. You just don't know. We'll find out tomorrow morning," said Wales head coach Craig Bellamy after the match. "The medical staff will be racing with it and make sure he's looked after, of course. We'll find out a lot more tomorrow." Advertisement On Sunday morning, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) confirmed Williams was not part of the travelling party for Wales' qualifier with Belgium. Williams wrote on X: "So frustrating to pick up this injury at the end of the season but now it's rest, recover and get back ready for pre season." The FAW also announced Cardiff City centre-back Dylan Lawlor has been called up for the fixture at the King Baudouin Stadium. Lawlor, 19, made his senior debut for Cardiff in a 2-0 FA Cup loss to Aston Villa in February and was handed his league bow in the Bluebirds' 4-2 defeat by Norwich City on the final day of the 2024-25 Championship season on 3 May. Advertisement He was part of the 29-man senior training camp under Bellamy in Cardiff and Alicante last month. Williams was making his 47th appearance for Wales and has started every game since Bellamy took charge. He was also a key player for Forest last season, playing 35 times as the club qualified for Europe for the first time in 30 years. Wales are yet to lose under Bellamy as they prepare to to Brussels to take on Group J's top seeds Belgium.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
The main talking points as Wales prepare to face Belgium in World Cup qualifying
Wales head to Belgium for Monday's crunch World Cup qualifier in confident mood. Craig Bellamy extended his unbeaten start as manager to nine games with Friday's 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein as Wales went top of the group. Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Brussels clash at the King Baudouin Stadium. Bellamy on the attack Wales boss Bellamy wasted no time in outlining his Brussels battle plan after beating Liechtenstein made it seven points from nine in World Cup qualifying. 'We go there and I'm not camping,' Bellamy said. 'I'm not sitting back. It's not in my make-up. I can't do it.' These were bold words from Bellamy, who knows Belgium present the acid test of his Wales reign. Wilson – from boy to man Harry Wilson was very much a boy when making his Wales debut in Belgium 12 years ago. At the age of 16 years and 207 days he became Wales' youngest-ever player – a record he still holds to this day. A dozen years on and Wilson is now Wales' main man, his second-half header against Liechtenstein his fifth goal in seven games since Bellamy took charge. No Neco real blow for Wales The only sour note of the Liechtenstein win was the early loss of Neco Williams to injury. The Nottingham Forest full-back, one of the few Premier League regulars in the Wales squad, has been a stand-out player under Bellamy and will be a real miss in Brussels. Jay Dasilva replaced Williams on Friday and set up Wilson's goal with a fine cross, but Ben Davies could revert to left-back in Brussels with Chris Mepham partnering Joe Rodon at the heart of the defence. 'Difficult' Doku to haunt Bellamy? Bellamy coached Jeremy Doku during his time as Anderlecht Under-21 coach and admits the Manchester City winger was 'difficult' to work with. But Bellamy said Doku's drive was 'insane' and that he helped him become a better coach. Doku has reached the Premier League via Rennes and could now return to haunt Bellamy on the international stage. Has Belgium's golden glow faded? The FIFA world rankings would have it that Belgium are the eighth best team in the world. But Belgium, who once topped the rankings, have only one win in eight games and began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday. Former Lyon boss Rudi Garcia was perhaps a curious choice to take over as head coach in January, and only a few ageing members of the so-called 'Golden Generation' such as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Neco Williams out of Wales game as Nottingham Forest defender reveals injury fate
Neco Williams out of Wales game as Nottingham Forest defender reveals injury fate Nottingham Forest full-back Neco Williams was stretchered off during Wales' 3-0 win over Liechtenstein on Friday night and has now provided an update on his injury Neco Williams covers his face after being stretchered off during Wales' 3-0 win over Liechtenstein (Image:) Neco Williams is out of Monday night's World Cup qualifier against Belgium after suffering an injury in Friday's 3-0 win over Liechtenstein The Nottingham Forest defender was carried off the pitch on a stretcher just 21 minutes into the match and has now revealed his aim is to recover in time for pre-season. In a social media post, Williams confirmed: "So frustrating to pick up this injury at the end of the season but now it's rest, recover and get back ready for pre-season." The news is a setback for Wales boss Craig Bellamy, who has consistently selected Williams in his starting line-up for all nine games since taking charge and would have undoubtedly wanted in his first-choice XI for what could be the critical game of the group in Brussels. The former Liverpool full-back went down in agony after attempting a cross in a one-sided opening at Cardiff City Stadium, leaving the pitch amid concerning scenes. Article continues below Bellamy was unclear on the outlook immediately after the game, telling the media: "Give us a few hours. You just don't know. We'll find out tomorrow morning. "The medical staff will be racing with it and make sure he's looked after, of course. We'll find out a lot more tomorrow." However, the indication that Williams should be back in time for pre-season is promising news for Forest, with the full-back becoming an integral player over the past year. Article continues below Having started every one of Forest's last 24 Premier League matches since December, Williams has been a fixture in the side, making 35 league appearances overall, scoring once and providing three assists.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Wales 3-0 Liechtenstein: Craig Bellamy's side go top of World Cup qualifying group - but suffer huge injury blow in the process
Joe Rodon's first international goal helped Wales overcome minnows Liechtenstein but manager Craig Bellamy suffered an injury blow before Monday's crunch World Cup qualifier against Belgium with Neco Williams carried off on a stretcher. Rodon's thumping header at the end of the first half pacified Welsh frustrations who had until then encountered visiting goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel in inspired form. Second half goals from Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore gave the scoreline a fairer reflection but while Bellamy's side now head to Brussels as Group J leaders, there will be concern over Nottingham Forest defender Williams who landed awkwardly on his ankle after 20 minutes and left the pitch in pain. The FIFA rankings suggested a one-sided affair at the Cardiff City stadium with only five countries considered worse than Liechtenstein in 205th. Bellamy's unbeaten record in charge was never likely to be threatened but Buchel kept the game goalless for 39 minutes by pulling off fantastic stops to deny Brennan Johnson, Ethan Ampadu and Moore. Liechtenstein contested the corner that broke the deadlock but Sorba Thomas capitalised with an excellent delivery for Leeds United's Rodon to power home on his 53rd appearance for his country. It was Williams' replacement Jay Dasilva who set up the second Wales goal after 65 minutes. His pinpoint cross from the left was headed in by Wilson who was back on familiar territory having spent a season on loan for Cardiff from Liverpool. Three minutes later, Moore was able to bag in his 14th international goal, tapping home after a shot by substitute David Brooks had been parried by Buchel. Liechtenstein are winless in 44 World Cup qualifiers and failed to register a shot at goal with their 20% possession. With the points in the bag, Bellamy was able to withdraw key men Johnson, Thomas and Wilson to keep them fresh for Belgium who are favourites to take their only automatic qualifying spot and opened their campaign last night in North Macedonia. Wales also hope to have Leeds winger Dan James available if he continues his recovery from illness. Tottenham's Ben Davies is tipped to continue as captain and should win his 96th cap.
