Wales manager Bellamy 'shoulders the burden' as World Cup qualification hangs in the balance

Craig Bellamy, the manager of Wales, expressed his sense of duty to lead the team to the World Cup this summer in a conversation with AFP on Friday, with a crucial home play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina looming this month.

Since taking the reins as Wales boss in July 2024, Bellamy, a former attacker for Manchester City and Liverpool, has made a positive impact, and the World Cup in North America is now within reach.

Wales had previously qualified for the World Cup in Qatar 2022 under the guidance of former coach Rob Page, marking the country's first appearance at the tournament in 64 years, despite having a population of just over three million people.

Bellamy, a former international player, stated that guiding Wales to the World Cup again would be a significant achievement, saying it would "definitely have to be up there" in his accomplishments.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, explaining that consistent qualification for major tournaments is essential for the growth of football in Wales, which has experienced significant growth over the last 10 to 12 years.

Bellamy noted that the excitement surrounding football in Wales has been substantial, and he wants to preserve this enthusiasm, saying "you want to keep hold of that."

The 46-year-old Bellamy, who played 78 times for Wales and scored 19 goals, feels a strong sense of responsibility to continue this trend, saying "so I feel a responsibility to keep this going."

While in Hong Kong to launch the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, a tournament featuring his former teams West Ham and Newcastle, Bellamy's focus is on the upcoming match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff on March 26.

A win for Wales would set up a home match against either Italy or Northern Ireland, with a spot at the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico at stake.

In the Premier League, where Bellamy scored 81 goals, set pieces, particularly corners, have become a key strategy, with Arsenal being a notable example.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has criticized the over-reliance on dead-ball situations, saying it bothers his "football heart," but Bellamy believes there is no right or wrong approach to the game, predicting that Arsenal will maintain their lead and win the title.

However, Bellamy does want to see the ball in play more frequently, as he believes this is essential for the Premier League's spectacle, saying "if you're taking a certain period of time to take the set play, it's a problem."

Bellamy also expressed his disapproval of the recent trend of goalkeepers feigning injury as a tactical ploy, saying "it doesn't sit well" with him, although he acknowledges that coaches must consider all available strategies.