Wales coach Bellamy sees bright future despite end of World Cup dream

Craig Bellamy had warned his players.

The day before Wales faced Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final, their head coach said: “Do not get involved in chaos. A chaotic game will not suit us, it suits them.”

When the moment came to pass, when Wales had control, they did not heed those words.

Leading 1-0 during the second half, Wales had chances to extend their advantage but, after wasting those, they squandered their hold on the match.

Bosnia were allowed to grow into the game, equalised from a late corner and won the shootout, leaving Wales to pick up the pieces after missing out on a second successive major tournament on penalties.

“It got chaotic and that was the bit we didn’t want with this team,” Bellamy said after the game.

“We allowed the chaos to creep in for 20 minutes and tried to see the game out. We’re not built that way, we don’t play that way.

“We have to keep the ball. I just couldn’t quite get that message on. I do understand – it’s a play-off, they had four centre-forwards on the pitch at one stage.”

Substitutions did not help Wales’ cause. With the dangerous Daniel James, scorer of Wales’ spectacular long-range goal, and David Brooks taken off, their replacements Liam Cullen and Mark Harris struggled to influence the game.

“I don’t think that’s fair,” Bellamy said. “No, we make changes all the time and we have to.

“We have a lot of players who don’t play 90 minutes at their clubs, so to ask them to come here and play 90 minutes is a lot more difficult. We need a squad.

“I am very proud but definitely disappointed. There was a lot of good, but it wasn’t to be.

“I got what I wanted from my team but, with 20 minutes left, we stopped playing and we just can’t do that, even though it was understandable.

“It was a big lesson for us. We needed to see the game out with the ball.”

As you would expect after such a crushing setback, Bellamy was flat after the game. By his animated standards at least.

He was, however, still able to muster some optimism.

Bellamy never got the chance to play at a major international tournament, and he has failed with his first attempt as head coach.

The next opportunity is Euro 2028, which Wales will co-host with England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

“We’ve got a home nations Euros coming up, what an incredible time,” Bellamy said.

“We wanted to be in a World Cup this summer, but the future is very bright. There are some good years ahead for Wales.

“I’m disappointed for the players we couldn’t get back-to-back World Cups because we are a good team.”

Thoughts of future tournaments can wait. For now, Wales will endure this pain and learn some harsh lessons.

“We’re going to hurt, but there’s a bright future. It’s hard to think about now, even though I’m trying,” Bellamy said.

“I’ll think about that tomorrow morning because that hurt is sinking in now. It will be difficult to sleep off the back of this one but it makes me even more determined.

“Tomorrow the sun will rise and I’m going to watch that sunrise.”