Wales coach Craig Bellamy expressed his concerns about the new four-match international window after his team's loss to Denmark in the Nations League. The team failed to build on their win over Norway on Thursday, losing 1-0 to Denmark on Sunday. Bellamy attributed the loss to the heavy workload his injury-hit squad had to endure, playing three games in four days. He believes the new schedule benefits bigger nations and puts a strain on smaller countries like Wales.
The new international schedule, which merges the September and October breaks, has been implemented for the first time this year. Traditionally, international teams played six games across three windows, each featuring two fixtures, in September, October, and November. However, the new schedule has four games played within a 10-day period. Bellamy's concerns were echoed by the absence of several key players, including Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor, and Harry Wilson, who missed the entire camp due to injuries.
Bellamy also expressed his disappointment with the timing of the new schedule, stating that it makes no sense to play four games at this level. He revealed that he was one of the coaches who voted against the new schedule, citing the disadvantage it poses to smaller nations. The coach emphasized that his team can deal with two injuries but struggles when multiple players are unavailable. The intensity of the squad and athleticism are also tested, which Bellamy believes is designed for elite teams.
The game against Denmark saw Wales struggle to create scoring opportunities, while Denmark came close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions. Rasmus Hojlund scored the winning penalty in the 75th minute, securing Denmark's win. Bellamy acknowledged that goalkeeper Danny Ward made incredible saves to keep the score level before the penalty. However, Ward's error led to the foul that resulted in the penalty.
Despite the loss, Wales climbed to third in Nations League Group A4 due to their head-to-head record against Norway. Norway was beaten 2-1 by Portugal, allowing Wales to move up the group standings. Bellamy remained optimistic about his team's chances, citing their previous win over Norway. He emphasized that his team needs to work on their energy levels to have a bigger say in the game.
The coach also discussed the physicality of the Danish team, which he believes was a key factor in their win. He praised Denmark's menacing runs and their ability to crank up the pressure. Bellamy acknowledged that his team struggled to cope with Denmark's physicality, which ultimately led to their loss.
Wales will play Norway in Oslo next month and complete their campaign with a home game against Portugal three days later. Bellamy will look to regroup his team and assess their chances in the remaining games. The coach's concerns about the new international schedule will likely continue to be a topic of discussion in the football community.
Key points
- Craig Bellamy criticizes the new four-match international window, citing its impact on smaller nations.
- Wales loses to Denmark in the Nations League due to a Rasmus Hojlund penalty.
- Despite the loss, Wales climbs to third in Nations League Group A4.
