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Monday 13th October, ko 7:45pm
Live on BBC 1 Wales, BBC 3, iPlayer and S4C
Cardiff City Stadium.
Match Officials:
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Daniel Schlager GER
Video Assistant Referee: Pascal Müller GER
Wales take on Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on Monday with Craig Bellamy's players knowing their World Cup qualifying fate is back in their hands.
Wales were left licking their wounds after Thursday's heavy defeat by England in a friendly at Wembley.
But the Belgium game is the one that really matters in this international break - and Wales have been boosted going into that fixture thanks to the Belgians' goalless draw with North Macedonia on Friday.
In little over a month, Wales fans will know if their team have made it to a second successive World Cup finals, or if they need to try again via the play-offs.
Here is the current picture in Group J as Wales bid to book a place at next year's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
How it stands
Wales had been top of the group after Kieffer's Moore goal earned an uncomfortable 1-0 win in Kazakhstan last month, putting them on 10 points.
But their advantage at the summit did not last long, as North Macedonia thumped Liechtenstein and Belgium thrashed both Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan.
As a result, Wales slipped to third at the end of the September international window.
But Bellamy's men always knew Belgium had to face North Macedonia - and their stalemate in Ghent was the ideal result for Wales.
After that, North Macedonia sit top of the group on 12 points, one point ahead of Belgium and two points better off than Wales. North Macedonia have played one match more than both Wales and Belgium.
Whoever finishes top automatically qualifies for the finals, while the runners-up book a place in the 16-team play-offs for the remaining four spots.
What comes next?
Even a Welsh win against Belgium might not put them top of the group given that North Macedonia host Kazakhstan in their penultimate qualifier on the same night.
But victory over Belgium, the only side to beat Bellamy's team in a competitive game, would be huge given that this is the toughest fixture - on paper - Wales have left.
Wales go to group minnows Liechtenstein on 15 November before finishing the group with what may be another a huge night in Cardiff when North Macedonia visit three days later.
But there is unlikely to be any margin for error for Wales, who know three victories from here on in would seal their World Cup place.
First and foremost, Belgium's visit looks pivotal - as it will be for the visitors.
Rudi Garcia's team finish the group with a wintry trip to Kazakhstan and a home fixture against Liechtenstein, so will have top spot within their grasp should they beat Wales.
What happens if sides finish level?
If teams finish the group level on points, positions will be decided on goal difference rather than head-to-head records.
At present, Belgium (+13) and North Macedonia (+9) are significantly better off than Wales (+5).
After goal difference, goals scored is the next tie breaker before head-to-head results are taken into consideration.
What happens if Wales finish second?
A nervous few weeks will await for fans next March.
The format is the same used in recent years and was how Wales reached the previous World Cup in Qatar.
Teams are placed into four paths and face a one-legged semi-final and a one-legged final. Win both and you secure qualification.
What happens if Wales finish third?
If the worst happens and Wales end up third, they are all but sure of having the chance to qualify for the play-offs as one of the Nations League group winners.
In the likely event of two of Spain, Germany, Portugal, France and England finishing either first or second in their group, Wales would get their play-off place.
It is a handy safety net, but it does come with a warning.
The play-offs are seeded with the Nations League entrants being automatically placed into pot four. In other words, should Wales finish third, they would face one of the highest-ranked runners-up in the semi-final.
Put simply, Bellamy's side have every motivation going into their final three games.
And all that matters from here on in is that they win.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c2ejxljg0veo
This will end in tears for Wales
This is the biggest game for quite a while. Win it and we are still in it. Bellamy looked a bit rattled in the video above though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ToTaL ITK
haven't beaten them in nearly 10 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
Drop Cullen and Brooks. Both are way to flaky. Bring in James and Thomas. Johnson is also flaky. Maybe bring Broadhead in.
We have looked far to vulnerable defensively under Bellamy. We must be much tighter tomorrow night.
Not sure why. The press conference is an easy ride for him. They’re all treading on egg shells around him. Not 1 specific question on a player, the formation (whoops, sorry I meant shapes), or the goals conceded. I’m a massive wales football fan, a big Bellamy fan and glad he’s our national manager, but come on - that 18 min press conference told us nothing. Or am I just an ignorant fan who doesn’t ’get it’Quote:
Originally Posted by Wales-Bales
I think this could be a game for Rubin Colwill to shine.
I’d play him in front of Jordan James and Ampadu.
Sorba Thomas and Neco Williams as Wingbacks with Ben Davies, Rodon and Mepham as a back 3 and Moore up top with Johnson or Broadhead to run off him.
I don’t think we’ll win unfortunately.
They do seem to be scared of him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Worcester
When he starts an answer with...look...he's coming across as assertive...and they don't know what to say then.
All of this talk about “finding out where we are by playing the best” stuff becomes less important when you realise that we’re in the Top seedlings for the next Nation’s League. All we’ve done is risk a lower pot in the Play Off draw, presumably for a bit more money.
Our wingers can start by planting a few crosses onto Moore's head.
[QUOTE=kendoddsdadsdogsdead;5617438]They do seem to be scared of him.
When he starts an answer with...look...he's coming across as assertive...and they don't know how to handle that.
Did anyone ask him about our drop in play off points after the England defeat ?
Lawlor, Joel Colwill & Isaak Davies omitted from the matchday squad
Has he kept Ruben in to keep the bench warm?
Brooks is one of our best players, and James is best as an impact sub. Recently been injured as well I think?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
Brooks is a lightweight. Far too easily brushed off the ball. He occasionally shows glimpses of quality but is anonymous far top often.Quote:
Originally Posted by delmbox
Jordan James has played a lot for Leicester recently, much better than CullenQuote:
Originally Posted by delmbox
Not feeling optimistic about this game, but I would love Rubin to come on and grab the winner.
Hes captaining one of the best teams in the Premier League at the moment, hes got a lot more ability than anyof the Championship and L1 players in the squad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pearcey3
:hehe:Quote:
Originally Posted by Wash DC Blue
So dont play two of our small number of Premier League players in Wilson and Brookes?
This thread is bananas.