'Bellamy's daring Wales unafraid to lose in pursuit of glory'

Craig Bellamy had been waiting for this moment. What he mightiness person struggled to envisage was nan sheer chaos of his first conclusion arsenic Wales caput coach.

Unbeaten successful his first 9 games, Bellamy would person equalled a nationalist grounds had his squad avoided conclusion successful Belgium – and they almost did it successful nan astir melodramatic manner imaginable.

Brussels is simply a metropolis Bellamy knows well, having lived location during his clip arsenic a coach pinch Anderlecht.

But nan first half was an alien acquisition for him connected nan touchline, watching connected arsenic his Wales squad were trim to shreds by a Belgian broadside who had rediscovered their verve.

Rediscover your verve? In a metropolis celebrated for its potently beardown ales, Wales mightiness person said: "Hold my beer."

This is simply a squad Bellamy has built successful his image. They are daring, adventurous, unafraid to suffer successful nan pursuit of glory.

To beryllium backmost and play for a tie is not successful their make-up, Bellamy said beforehand, and Wales backed that up pinch a momentous capacity to roar backmost from 3-0 down to level.

Harry Wilson's penalty, Sorba Thomas' composed debased onslaught and Brennan Johnson's header had Belgium rattled and Wales dreaming.

Kevin de Bruyne had nan last opportunity to unafraid a 4-3 triumph for Belgium, but Bellamy could not thief but grin erstwhile he was asked for his thoughts.

"I don't for illustration losing. I understand nan game, but really you suffer is much important," he said.

"Who are you arsenic a person? Who is your team? I spot that and I'm beyond proud. We're a bully team.

"I understand results, I really do, but shot intends much to maine than that. It ever has done. I'd alternatively effort thing awesome and neglect than do thing and succeed."

Neither Bellamy nor his players are shackled by nan fearfulness of losing. That is why they person enjoyed specified a affirmative commencement to his tenure.

To concisely time off nan belief facet of nan crippled and to woody pinch cold, difficult applicable facts, this first conclusion nether Bellamy knocked Wales disconnected nan apical of their World Cup qualifying group.

North Macedonia are nan caller leaders pinch 8 points from 4 games, Wales are 2nd pinch 7 from four, while Belgium lurk menacingly pinch 4 points from two.

Wales and Belgium will meet again successful Cardiff successful October, renewing a rivalry which has provided Welsh shot pinch immoderate of its top moments complete nan past decade.

Wales are unbeaten successful their past 4 location meetings pinch Belgium, and Bellamy believes location is much play to unfold successful Group J.

"To travel to a top-eight squad [in nan world rankings] and tin we play nan measurement we want to play? I deliberation nan Belgium players saw it arsenic well," Bellamy said.

"Think I publication thing from nan Belgium media – 'an easy measurement to nan USA'? There's a batch of life successful this group and coming I saw a batch of life successful this team.

"We aren't going anywhere. I will person a mates of weeks now of recharging, but I'm beyond proud and really excited astir nan future."