A win in North Macedonia will send Wales to the top of Group J
WALES will look to make it eight games unbeaten, as they continue their World Cup qualification campaign against North Macedonia in Skopje.
Craig Bellamy’s side remain undefeated since he took charge, with last week’s 3-1 win against Kazakhstan the fourth win of the seven-match unbeaten run.
So are the side are still underdogs, after years of treading water under former manager Rob Page?
“I never see us as an underdog. I’m not an underdog, I never have been. I will not accept that,” said Bellamy.
“I know we’re guaranteed a play-off, but it’s every game. ‘Can you win? How can you set the team up to win?’ That’s the only way my psyche works.
“I don’t think I’m a naive person, but maybe someone’s going to teach me a lesson soon. Hopefully not Tuesday, though.”
Bellamy’s confidence is a far cry from the Rob Page era, characterised by poor performances and dismal runs of form, the low points being a humbling loss to England in Qatar and 4-0 thrashing away to Slovakia.
The new manager has changed the narrative, injecting the side with a newfound confidence and playing a free flowing, attacking brand of football which has paid dividends so far.
Tuesday’s tie will see Wales attempt to keep the good times going and end North Macedonia’s strong run of form.
North Macedonia kicked their qualifying campaign off against Liechtenstein with a dominant 3-0 win, sending them to the top of Group J.
Wales are currently 29th in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, with North Macedonia 38 places behind in 67th.
While they may be separated in the FIFA Rankings, North Macedonia will be challenging for Bellamy’s side. The Lions have won six matches on the spin and come into tonight’s game full of confidence.
Fans will be hoping to see Wales better their performance against Kazakhstan. Despite winning 3-1, Wales weren’t at their best, struggling in the first half despite going ahead early and looking disjointed at the back.
“We have to be aware of their threat. We have to be really flexible, and we have to be sharp tactically,” said Bellamy.
The tie will hold extra meaning for North Macedonia. Tonight’s tie will be the national team’s first match since the Kočani nightclub fire, which killed 59 people and injured 196.
Both teams will wear black armbands to mark the occasion, and a minute’s silence will be held before the game.
“First and foremost, I’d like to send my condolences to the families and also the people of North Macedonia,” Bellamy said.
“We’ve had our own tragedies as well. We know as a country what they’re going through and I’d like them to know that everyone in Wales is fully behind them.
“It’s difficult to talk about football when moments like this happen, but we’re here for it. But at the same time, we’re fully aware of the situation and completely respect the situation. We’re behind you.”
- You can watch live coverage of tonight’s match on BBC One Wales from 7pm.
