Wales hit attack on Brennan Johnson but Craig Bellamy refuses to point finger after huge collapse
Wales saw their two-goal lead slip in Iceland, and they will now face Montenegro in Cardiff without Tottenham’s in-form star Brennan Johnson. Despite the frustrating result, Craig Bellamy remained positive after his team surrendered their 2-0 advantage, drawing their UEFA Nations League match in Reykjavik.
Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson found the net for Wales after some sharp attacking play in the first half, putting the visitors in control on a cold night in Iceland’s capital.
However, Iceland fought back in the second half. Logi Tomasson pulled a goal back before forcing an unfortunate own goal from Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward within three minutes, leveling the match.
Iceland nearly snatched a win, with Orri Oskarsson hitting the crossbar from 20 yards and Jon Thorsteinsson striking the post, as Wales barely held on to preserve their unbeaten start in the Nations League.
Despite the second-half collapse, Wales manager Craig Bellamy expressed his satisfaction with his team’s overall performance, recognizing the challenges of facing Iceland away from home.
Bellamy acknowledged that being two goals up at half-time didn’t guarantee an easy victory. He emphasized that Iceland’s experienced manager, Åge Hareide, would push his players to press harder after the break, knowing they had nothing to lose.
Bellamy saw the second half as a valuable learning experience for his players, helping them build tactical awareness for future matches.
Reflecting on the match, Bellamy said his halftime message to the team was clear: it was going to be a tough second half. He was encouraged by how the situation allowed his players to face adversity and develop.
“It’s about building a mental library,” Bellamy explained, referring to the importance of remembering difficult match situations to help in the future. He was adamant that he wasn’t simply trying to sugar-coat the result but felt that the game had provided significant lessons for his team.
Bellamy’s tenure with Wales began with a 0-0 draw against Turkey in Cardiff, followed by a 2-1 victory over Montenegro. Iceland’s comeback in this match denied Wales the chance to go joint top in their group, as Turkey defeated Montenegro 1-0 to take the lead in Group B4.
With two points separating Wales from Turkey, the upcoming match against Montenegro in Cardiff offers an opportunity to close the gap. However, injuries and suspensions have complicated matters for Bellamy’s squad.
Brennan Johnson and Jordan James will both miss the Montenegro match due to suspension, adding to Wales’ growing list of absentees. Key players such as captain Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu, and Daniel James are sidelined with injuries, making the task even more challenging.
Bellamy admitted that dealing with the different styles of refereeing across the tournament has been a learning process for both him and his players. Despite the disappointing result against Iceland, Bellamy emphasized that it’s part of the team’s growth as they adjust to his management style.
Iceland, sitting just one point behind Wales in the group, will face Turkey in their next match. Iceland manager Åge Hareide praised his side’s resilience, particularly their response after going two goals down.
He expressed disappointment that they didn’t manage to win the game after such a strong second-half performance but remained proud of the way his team fought back to earn a draw.
For Wales, the focus now shifts to their match against Montenegro, who currently sit at the bottom of the group without a point. It’s a critical game for Bellamy’s side as they aim to keep pace with Turkey and maintain their hopes of topping the group.
However, with a depleted squad and the pressure of expectation mounting, the upcoming fixture presents a significant challenge for the Welsh team.
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