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Wales Navigates Tough Start to World Cup Qualifiers with Victory Over Kazakhstan
Wales captain Ben Davies has praised head coach Craig Bellamy’s composed demeanor following a challenging opening match in their World Cup qualifying campaign, where they managed to secure a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan.
Despite the final score, Wales struggled to find their rhythm against a resilient Kazakhstan team, currently positioned 110th in the FIFA rankings, during the match held in Cardiff on Saturday. The home side faced significant difficulty as they attempted to break down a compact opponent.
Bellamy, who enjoyed a fiery reputation during his playing days with clubs like Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Manchester City, has shown a more level-headed approach in his coaching role since taking the helm of the Welsh national team last year.
Davies, who contributed to the scoreline with Wales’ second goal, reflected on the match’s challenges, stating, “They made it really difficult for us, they were compact. You could see in the first half we forced a lot of balls when we didn’t really need to.” In contrast, he noted a more disciplined performance from his teammates after the break, emphasizing the importance of securing the win and how a timely goal can ease the tension in a closely contested game.
He added, “We’ve all been in games like that where you go into it as favourites, you have a lot of expectations to walk all over a team, but you know it’s never the case. They’re a proud nation that’s out on the pitch trying to win a game just like us.”
At halftime, it was the players who expressed frustration over the scoreline, according to Davies, highlighting the emotional atmosphere in the dressing room. In contrast, he described Bellamy’s calm approach, noting how the coach entered with a clear plan, ready to motivate the team for a stronger second half. “He simply asked for more energy and to keep doing what we’re doing,” Davies recounted, signaling a shift in the team’s focus that proved effective in securing the crucial win.
Source
www.bbc.com