The Dragons will now have an opportunity to qualify for subsequent summer time’s event by the play-offs
Craig Bellamy watched his Wales facet ship an unbelievable show on Tuesday night time.
A 7-1 dismantling of North Macedonia not solely secured second place of their World Cup qualifying group but additionally assured dwelling benefit for March’s play-off semi-final.
The scoreline was headline, however the method of the efficiency was much more spectacular.
Wales produced a whirlwind of high-tempo, attack-minded soccer, paired with relentless strain off the ball that left North Macedonia fully uncovered.
A group that had conceded solely three targets throughout their first seven qualifiers shipped greater than double that in simply 19 chaotic minutes in Cardiff.
“I’m not an ideal individual, I haven’t come throughout anybody who’s,” stated Bellamy. “However possibly I take a bit little bit of that again as a result of that was as near the proper efficiency as I’ve seen. That was unbelievable.
“The best way we have been in a position to make use of the ball, our timing. We didn’t play with a ahead, we had three [number] 10s. However they have been within the place the place you drag somebody out and somebody runs, then the large gamers have been linked with it as nicely.
“We have been simply so clear with the ball and that means that you can have good possibilities. It was a kind of days the place we’re in a position to take them as nicely.”
The night time had been billed as a nervy check for Wales towards opponents who had not let in a single aim away from dwelling of their marketing campaign and wanted solely a draw to take care of second place.
As an alternative, what unfolded was a one-sided contest that turned the stadium right into a celebration lengthy earlier than the ultimate whistle.
For Bellamy, this was the clearest expression but of the identification he has been making an attempt to embed since taking cost final yr.
“I do know North Macedonia will really feel this one tonight, however they’ve been good within the group,” Bellamy stated.
“I do really feel there’s been a number of video games they’ve been lucky in and I did really feel there was a group prepared to harm them, and I believed it might be us.”
The outcome additionally acts as a well timed reminder for the perimeters Wales may face within the play-offs. They are going to be seeded in pot two when Thursday’s draw is made in Zurich, which means a house semi-final towards one among Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo or the Republic of Eire.
Wales have grown accustomed to those high-stakes events in Cardiff. Since this format was launched, they’ve contested all 4 of their World Cup and European Championship play-off semis and finals at dwelling, profitable three of them.
March’s matches will now signify essentially the most pivotal second of Bellamy’s time in cost, and Tuesday’s exhibiting advised his group are prepared for the dimensions of the problem.
