| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : RESULT : 3-1 Belgium 09:55 - Mar 22 with 5363 views | NotLoyal |
The World Cup qualifiers get underway and of course here on Swansea Independent we follow the national side all the way. Here is the Matchday thread.
Belgium v Wales
Wednesday 24th March 2021
Den Dreef, Leuven
Kick off 7.45pm
Coverage,: Live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, 5 Live, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app, S4C, SKY Sports main event LIVE
Highlights,: Match of the Day Wales, BBC One Wales, 24 March, from 22:45 GMT and later on demand
LATEST NEWS
Romelu Lukaku has been named in the Belgium squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Wales despite a coronavirus outbreak at his club Inter Milan, although boss Roberto Martinez admits the striker may not feature. Belgium meet Wales in Leuven on Wednesday and boss Martinez admits their record goalscorer could be missing when World Cup qualification in Europe gets under way.
"It is possible (Lukaku will not play), he is in the middle of a group that is isolating," Martinez said when announcing a 32-man squad for a World Cup qualifying triple-header against Wales, the Czech Republic and Belarus. "Tests are scheduled ahead, but we don't look any further than the next few days to see if Romelu can join us in the national "The (Italian) government and local authorities have got to give him the green light, but this is something we are used to and we will see how it develops.
Martinez manager of Belgium, another Swansea City success in coaching and management
WALES
The squad picked by whoever
Steve Cooper has stated publicly that he has had no contact from anyone at the FAW regards his players and their selection for the national team. “ I used to do it as a matter of courtesy” he said on Saturday. “ However, I’ve heard nothing, not a thing, all the other associations have spoken to me but not Wales” This obviously raises concerns that the unsuited Paige who is apparently ‘ looking after ‘ things whilst Giggs is on bail for hitting his mrs has little or no competency or rationale for running a football team. What a berk.
Robert Paige, No class and clearly hasn’t got a brain when it comes to common courtesy
Before we crack on here is the U21 squad picked by Paul Bodin, jeez does it get any worse ?
Paul Bodin has named eleven uncapped players in a new look squad to face the Republic of Ireland on Friday 26 March at Colliers Park, Wrexham (KO 13:00).
We move on.
Ramsey is out
Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of Wales' opening two World Cup qualifiers.
Ramsey will miss Wednesday's trip to Belgium and the Czech Republic's visit to Wales six days later after picking up a thigh injury at his club Juventus.
Joe Allen
"A lot of the lads were talking about how they were showing the games again," Allen says. "I'd never watched them back, so I had a chance to go through them again and take that trip down memory lane. "What a summer it was and we're all hoping we get a taste of something similar this summer, with one eye on getting to a World Cup. I don't think you quite get over the trauma of missing out having come so close to qualifying," says Allen, who was taken off injured during that decisive loss. "It was a missed opportunity. A lot of the lads who were part of that campaign know that and I think it's going to be a driving force going into this one. The older you get, the more aware you get you are not going to get that many more chances. And for me personally I am realistic, this qualifying campaign could be the last one in terms of the World Cup. We are going to throw absolutely everything at getting there and what an achievement it would be if we make it."
Chris Coleman on tonight’s game
"If any of the lads are thinking they can go to Belgium and play 90% or even 95% and nick a win, then it's not going to happen," Coleman said. So they've got to go 100%, they've got to believe 100%, put themselves on the line and not be afraid to get it wrong.
"Sometimes we do that and play within ourselves - not just Wales, all athletes do that - but if we can just be brave, we're good enough to go and get a result. I know they're the best team in the world, they're ranked number one, but we've done it before and we can do it again. There are going to be moments when it's going to get really hard, it'll be really tough and those are the moments you just hang on like your life depended on it and you wait for a little opportunity. We will get one of those opportunities and... when you play one of these top international teams you've got to get used to large parts of the game where you're being dictated to in terms of possession, because the opposition are just that good.
"You've got to sit in and bide your time... and that's what we've got to get used to now."
TEAMS
Belgium: Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen (c); Meunier, De Bruyne, Dendoncker, Tielemans; Mertens, Lukaku, T. Hazard
Subs: Mignolet, Casteels, Denayer, Trossard, Foket, Vanaken, Januzaj, Praet, Benteke, Castagne, Doku, Batshuayi
Wales: Ward; Mepham, Lawrence, Rodon; C.Roberts, Wilson, Allen, Ampadu, N.Williams; James, Bale (c)
Subs: Hennessey, Davies, Gunter, Cabango, J.Williams, Robson-Kanu, Moore, Morrell, Norrington-Davies, Smith, Lawrence
DEFENSIVE WALES TONIGHT.
The expected loss happened but you can’t fault the effort.
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| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 12:58 - Mar 25 with 675 views | onehunglow |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 11:48 - Mar 25 by Badlands |
Only saw highlights of the Czech Rep but they looked like group winners to me!
The ambition to keep tracking until the end, even after scoring 6, suggests they are on a mission.
Hard to tell though ... Estonia were awful.
With the injuries mounting and no goalkeeper playing regular football Cymru will struggle. |
My mantra is a goalkeeper is the kingpin of any side a normally he is the biggest,most vocal and inspiring.The loneliest position yet one which fuels the whole team.No team can prosper if there is a liability behind the sticks.
Ward is nowhere near international standard and lack of regular play accentuates this. Nobody can seriously expect a keeper playing often meaningless third rate standard games to come into the International arena and face,at a penalty,of all people,Romelu Lukaku-a monster and serious quality.As for De Bruyne,you do feel sorry for any defender .This player is right at the top.Fantastic player and role model too for kids..
Anyway,Holby should be on this Tuesday |  |
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| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 13:47 - Mar 25 with 647 views | Kilkennyjack |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 12:58 - Mar 25 by onehunglow |
My mantra is a goalkeeper is the kingpin of any side a normally he is the biggest,most vocal and inspiring.The loneliest position yet one which fuels the whole team.No team can prosper if there is a liability behind the sticks.
Ward is nowhere near international standard and lack of regular play accentuates this. Nobody can seriously expect a keeper playing often meaningless third rate standard games to come into the International arena and face,at a penalty,of all people,Romelu Lukaku-a monster and serious quality.As for De Bruyne,you do feel sorry for any defender .This player is right at the top.Fantastic player and role model too for kids..
Anyway,Holby should be on this Tuesday |
The keeper was not at fault for any of the goals conceded. |  |
| Beware of the Risen People
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| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 14:10 - Mar 25 with 636 views | Chief |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 12:41 - Mar 25 by jack247 |
It’s been that way since the group was drawn. Straight shoot out with them for the playoff place. We got a very tough draw given our seeding, though on balance, our Euros group couldn’t have been much better.
I don’t really understand how the Nations league comes into play, but I think we could potentially finish third and get into the playoffs through that? |
Yes, there's 10 groups, each group winner qualifies. The 10 group runners up get a play off place to compete for 3 additional spots.
Added to the 10 runners up will be 2 teams based on their Nations League performance. We are near the top of the list of teams that performed well in that but may not finish top 2 in their qualification group. Same applies for the Czechs.
So as long as all the traditional powers qualify as you'd expect so they don't have to rely on the nations league, and we and Czech finish 2nd and 3rd in our group in any order, we're more or less guaranteed a play off place. |  |
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| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 14:24 - Mar 25 with 628 views | jack247 |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 14:10 - Mar 25 by Chief |
Yes, there's 10 groups, each group winner qualifies. The 10 group runners up get a play off place to compete for 3 additional spots.
Added to the 10 runners up will be 2 teams based on their Nations League performance. We are near the top of the list of teams that performed well in that but may not finish top 2 in their qualification group. Same applies for the Czechs.
So as long as all the traditional powers qualify as you'd expect so they don't have to rely on the nations league, and we and Czech finish 2nd and 3rd in our group in any order, we're more or less guaranteed a play off place. |
Thanks for clarifying Chief.
So basically, we’re in the playoffs regardless then?
I can’t see us finishing above Belgium, or below Belarus or Estonia. Haven’t checked the Nations league standings, but if it is the traditional powerhouses above us, I can’t see many of them not finishing top 2 in their group, given there are 10 groups and they have all been kept apart.
Happy days. ROI or Scotland please. | | | |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 14:41 - Mar 25 with 622 views | Chief |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 14:24 - Mar 25 by jack247 |
Thanks for clarifying Chief.
So basically, we’re in the playoffs regardless then?
I can’t see us finishing above Belgium, or below Belarus or Estonia. Haven’t checked the Nations league standings, but if it is the traditional powerhouses above us, I can’t see many of them not finishing top 2 in their group, given there are 10 groups and they have all been kept apart.
Happy days. ROI or Scotland please. |
Yes exactly, we've been promoted to the top tier of the nations league for the next campaign so the only teams above us in the list are the powerhouses who shouldn't need that route. There may be one other above us who you wouldn't consider a powerhouse (could be Scotland) but there's 2 places. | |
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| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 15:06 - Mar 25 with 618 views | jack247 |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 14:41 - Mar 25 by Chief |
Yes exactly, we've been promoted to the top tier of the nations league for the next campaign so the only teams above us in the list are the powerhouses who shouldn't need that route. There may be one other above us who you wouldn't consider a powerhouse (could be Scotland) but there's 2 places. |
Happy days. Holby with Perch it is then | | | |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 15:50 - Mar 25 with 589 views | onehunglow |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 15:06 - Mar 25 by jack247 |
Happy days. Holby with Perch it is then |
No.Per h was killed off and nothing to do with Holby,which,like Casualty,is made in Wales.Just look at the credits at the end ,Llyun,Rhys Sion,Sioned etc. I’m a amazed you mega proud Welsh people aren’t not regular viewers.
Best is reserved for Casualty.
Connie Beauchamp definitely a subject for sexist stereotyping language. Just as well as what I would post would see me banned.
So tough.
Come on Connie | |
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| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 15:51 - Mar 25 with 595 views | Badlands |
| Belgium v Wales : Matchday Thread WORLD CUP : LIVE : 3-1 Belgium on 13:47 - Mar 25 by Kilkennyjack |
The keeper was not at fault for any of the goals conceded. |
Unlucky on the De Bruyne goal, an inch further across and he'd have tipped it and had the shot been an inch further out there was a good chance of rebounding .
The second was all about Roberts' slip and no hope, TBF, with Lukaku taking a pen.
That said he wasn’t toasted to any great extent and I can see the Czech Rep playing on him on him more than slick Belgium.
The second half was better but Cymru missed a really dominant character in the back line and, for me, Bale isn't a good captain. |  |
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