## New Era Begins For Wales Under Bellamy

Craig Bellamy's highly anticipated debut as Wales manager began on Friday evening with a Nations League clash against Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium. The 45-year-old, a former Wales captain, succeeded Rob Page in July and has wasted no time in implementing his progressive new style of play.

This first test of Bellamy's methods came against a Turkey side that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 this summer. Although the stakes were relatively lower than World Cup qualifiers, the Nations League still provides a back-up route to major tournaments via play-offs.

Despite not securing a victory, Bellamy's Wales side put in an encouraging performance, showcasing a high-speed, pressing style that was a stark contrast to their previous approach.

A Lively First Half

From the outset, Wales dictated the tempo of the game, looking to win the ball back as quickly as possible after losing possession. This relentless pressure made it difficult for Turkey to maintain any sort of control, and the hosts created several good chances in the first half.

One of the most notable chances came in the 37th minute, when a long punt forward by Wales caught the Turkish defense off guard. Sorba Thomas found himself in space and chipped a shot over Mert Günok, the Turkish goalkeeper. However, Thomas had gone too soon and the goal was ruled offside.

Harry Wilson also had a couple of opportunities to put Wales ahead. He sent in a dangerous free kick in the 21st minute, which Ben Davies almost steered home with an acrobatic shot, before curling a sensational ball into the box for Joe Rodon in the 40th minute. Sadly, Rodon’s header sailed over the bar.

Turkey, meanwhile, struggled to get into the game. Their star player, Arda Güler, was quiet and the only real threat they posed came from a few set pieces. “Turkey have not been at the races yet, the only way I can see them scoring is a counter-attack or a set-piece at the moment,” one commentator noted.

A Frustrating Second Half

The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with Wales dominating possession and creating a number of half chances. However, they were unable to find a way through the Turkish defense. Turkey, meanwhile, started to look a little more dangerous, but still lacked a cutting edge.

One of the few moments of drama in the second half came when Barış Alper Yılmaz was sent off for a second yellow card. The midfielder had been booked in the first half for a foul on Joe Rodon, and was then cautioned again for a reckless challenge on Neco Williams. “Barış Alper Yılmaz was slightly unfortunate to get booked in the first half,” said one commentator, “but he knows he’s on a booking, and going in late on Neco Williams isn’t the wisest move.”

Despite a number of substitutions in both halves, neither side was able to break the deadlock. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, which means that Bellamy's Wales will be looking to improve their attacking play in their next Nations League game.

Promising Signs, But Work To Be Done

While a draw is not the ideal result for Bellamy in his first game, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. The high-energy style of play, which was a hallmark of Bellamy's own playing career, was evident throughout the match.

“I think Craig Bellamy will be satisfied with the first-half performance from Wales, but he might feel that Wales should be 1-0 up,” said one commentator. “There’s been some great chances missed, Wales just need to keep up that intensity and tempo.”

Bellamy, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction with the performance, but acknowledged that his team needs to be more clinical in front of goal. “It was definitely needed,” Bellamy said of the team’s training this week. “The exciting part is to see how it comes out today… the combinations and the links… the understanding between the players… see how far they’ve come in such a short place of time.”

Ultimately, the game ended in a draw, but it was a promising start to the Bellamy era. With a little more sharpness in the final third, Wales could be a force to be reckoned with in the Nations League and beyond.

A New Wales Begins

The performance against Turkey is a good indication of the exciting new direction that Bellamy is taking Wales in. While the focus may be on the long-term goals, the new manager knows that every game is important for a national team. The Welsh fans, too, are looking to see how Bellamy’s team develops in the months ahead.

Whether Bellamy can replicate his success as a player in the managerial arena remains to be seen. However, this draw against a strong Turkey side is a good starting point. With a talented group of players at his disposal, and a clear vision for the future, Bellamy has the potential to build a successful and exciting Wales team.