Wales are set to face Belgium in the World Cup qualifiers in Cardiff, with a win able to send them to the top of their group, meaning they will be in pole position entering their final two fixtures in the next international break.
Craig Bellamy has selected two Wrexham stars for Wales this international break in Kieffer Moore and Nathan Broadhead, with Danny Ward missing out due to injury for this Belgium fixture after being selected last in the last squad earlier in the season.
Moore could end a Belgium’s clean sheet record in this fixture as he looks to improve his goals tally, having scored 15 goals in his 51 caps.
Now, Belgian star Thibaut Courtois has identified the challenges Wales will provide for the Red Devils, identifying one Wrexham star as key to a home victory.
Belgium are preferred for long balls to Kieffer Moore
Real Madrid star Courtois has spoken ahead of the Belgium and Wales fixture, with both sides desperate for a win, as it would put them in pole position to qualify for the next World Cup.
This will be the 11th meeting between the nations since September 2012, with Wales enjoying famous victories both in Euro 2016 qualifying and the tournament itself at the quarter-final stage.
However, the side have evolved since then, and a whole new crop of players have emerged in that time, with Craig Bellamy having a different tactical approach to Chris Coleman’s side, yet Courtois feels they have done their homework to secure victory, as reported by the Leader.
He said: “Wales is a good team with a lot of intensity. They have big lads and can play a long ball for Kieffer Moore.
“When you have one superstar (Gareth Bale) in your team, the game is more focused on his side, whereas now I think they don’t sit that deep.
“They like to go into a high press and also search to find a space between defenders and midfielders.
“(Harry) Wilson is a guy who can give that last pass. There’s also the possibility with Moore to put balls in the box, so they have a few options, and that’s why they are a tough team to play against.”
Craig Bellamy fully focused on the Belgium fixture
Wales suffered defeat earlier in this international window after they lost 3-0 to England, and Bellamy is hoping to use this as a lesson for his side, demonstrating how a top side can pick them off if they aren’t at it.
So, he is expecting his team to remain fully focused on the task at hand when Belgium visit Cardiff, as he doesn’t want his team to lose focus as they edge closer to the World Cup.
As reported by Wales Online, he said: “We’re not Nostradamuses in here. Even just my experience of football and also my experience of coaching, like short-term and international football, expect the unexpected.
“Because anything can happen. The nice part of this group is we have three games left.
“If we win all three, we claim top spot. If Belgium win their games, they claim top spot. And if North Macedonia win their games…
“This is exactly where I’m sure we all wanted to be, and you just have to embrace it.
“Embrace it, and enjoy it.”