The place does this go away Wales’ hopes of reaching subsequent 12 months’s World Cup? Dented, however removed from over.
The easy and fast route has been shut off by Belgium, who now maintain all of the aces going into November’s last spherical of video games. It is tough to argue in opposition to the place Belgium maintain, they had been simply the higher aspect in Cardiff.
Qualifying in November holds so many extra advantages than simply the glory of topping your qualifying group. Planning can begin earlier, the scramble for the higher coaching amenities and inns is less complicated – you do not have to run the gauntlet of the play-offs.
For Wales there are nonetheless some avenues that supply a North American journey subsequent 12 months, although.
Earlier than we get to the conclusion of Group J, Wales’ efficiency within the first half-dozen video games with Craig Bellamy as head coach led to a profitable Nations League marketing campaign, and though not 100 per cent sure, that marketing campaign ought to present a play-off route subsequent March if Wales end third.
For that to occur – and it’s extra a chance than risk – it requires two of England, Germany, Spain, Portugal and France to complete prime or second of their respective qualifying teams. That is a motley crew of Europe’s elite, so you’d count on at the least two of them to return first or second.
Presuming Belgium win their remaining two matches subsequent month, the opposite route is for Wales to mud themselves down and win their last two group video games subsequent month away at Liechtenstein after which beat North Macedonia in Cardiff.
They’re going to have to win each to make sure second place within the group, however once more, there’s life nonetheless on this qualifying group for Wales. Two video games to go, one away on the 204th finest crew on the planet and the opposite at house.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy criticised VAR following their defeat in opposition to Belgium
Okay, it isn’t as satisfying or confidence-building as successful the group and out-gunning Belgium, however possibly we witnessed the place the gulf lies. Belgium remained composed always, the opening 10 minutes will need to have been a nightmare as Wales battered them and took a deserved lead, however when these key moments got here, Belgium delivered.
The primary penalty for Belgium could be debated in pubs, bars, touchlines and press conferences, but it surely was awarded by the officers after VAR intervened. Referees do not change their minds due to gamers pleading their case.
It is a resolution maybe we can’t essentially see within the Premier League now, however we did see them given a few seasons again, and in Europe for membership and worldwide video games the officiating is completely different. Kevin De Bruyne’s composure and execution of each penalties was top-notch.
Kevin De Bruyne scored twice from the penalty spot as Belgium got here from behind to win
De Bruyne jogs my memory of Lionel Messi’s penalty taking on the final World Cup in Qatar, he simply waits for the goalkeeper to make their transfer, nevertheless late, and locations the ball into an space that’s unattainable to avoid wasting.
What De Bruyne confirmed was that when an opportunity of a aim affords itself to you, you’re taking it clinically. Wales had loads of probabilities, however they had been typically 50/50s. When a crew, nevertheless exhausting it really works, is crushed by somebody higher, then it is time to maintain up your arms and settle for it.
Bellamy has spoken a lot in current weeks about exposing his aspect to the most effective groups on this planet and over the course of the final week he has accomplished simply that – England and Belgium. Defeat at all times hurts, but when a small nation like Wales, with a a lot smaller participant pool of expertise, is to be taught then maybe some exhausting nights and classes are what’s wanted for the higher good.
There’s one other factor on my thoughts which I am unable to eliminate. It is a Bellamy quote from some time in the past: “There’s always a twist and I feel it in this group…”
Nicely, to date he is been proper. Nobody noticed Belgium dropping factors at house in opposition to North Macedonia and it occurred. Nobody noticed a late, late and – to drill house the purpose – a really late equaliser for Wales of their first match in qualifying away to the identical crew, but that occurred.
Harry Wilson appears dejected after defeat to Belgium
Bellamy additionally let this one out the opposite day: “Belgium still have to travel to Kazakhstan, that’s a hard one in so many ways.”
May there but be one other twist on this group? Kazakhstan is a seven-hour flight there and again for Belgium. They play on a man-made pitch and so they play there on November 15. By my reckoning, Astana in November is a contact chilly.
Certainly we’re not again to speaking about computerized qualification once more…
Maybe not, there is a deadly flaw. Belgium’s last qualification sport is at house in opposition to Liechtenstein. Eighth on this planet vs 204th on this planet. Certainly not?
