Wales sense 'special moment coming' before Belgium showdown

World Cup qualifier: Wales v Belgium

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Monday, 13 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, BBC3 and iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Wales' World Cup qualifier at home to Belgium on Monday already had the feel of a big game. Now, it has the makings of a defining night.

That is because Wales' fate is back in their own hands, thanks to Belgium's goalless draw at home to North Macedonia on Friday.

If Craig Bellamy's side win their three remaining games, they will top Group J and qualify automatically for next summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

That, though, is quite a big if.

The most imposing hurdle to clear is arguably their next one.

This might not be the Belgium that finished third at the 2018 World Cup or the team that topped the world rankings as recently as three years ago, but they are still formidable opponents who count the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among their phalanx of attacking talent.

Not that Wales are intimidated, not with a head coach as single-minded – and optimistic – as Bellamy.

"I believe there's always a special moment coming," he said.

"Players have been in this situation so many times over last 10 years, especially Cardiff nights. When we've managed to qualify it's been here. The crowd is used to this environment and these moments.

"You just have to embrace it. Embrace it and enjoy it. Tomorrow night we're home, full stadium, just enjoy every second of it."

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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 World Cup, while the runners-up book a place in the 16-team play-offs for the remaining four spots, which is the route Wales took to the 2022 World Cup, their first appearance at the finals stage for 64 years.

But all three teams will be looking to avoid the play-offs in March, hoping to be top of Group J by the time the regular qualifying campaign ends next month.

"It is so good, I have to be honest," Bellamy added. "This is exactly the opportunity you want.

"But at the same time, and this is how I work, my psyche works, it's not all over if it doesn't happen [on Monday]. Trust me. We adapt, we go again. I'm prepared if we win, I'm prepared if we draw, I'm prepared if we lose. Consistency.

"From my experience of football and my experience of coaching in the short term, expect the unexpected because anything can happen."

'England loss gave me feeling this team can go a lot further'

Wales prepared for this fixture with a 3-0 friendly defeat against England on Thursday, a thoroughly one-sided affair at Wembley which threatened to spiral into humiliation after the hosts scored three goals in the opening 20 minutes.

Bellamy had selected England as opponents for the mandatory friendly because he wanted to expose his players to world-class opposition with the Belgium game – and future major tournaments – in mind.

Some Wales supporters questioned the wisdom of choosing to play England, given the damage it could do to their world ranking or players' confidence before a match as important as Monday's.

But Bellamy believes he and his team learned valuable lessons at Wembley, giving him hope for the future, against Belgium and beyond.

"I'm a little bit different, and I don't advocate for everyone to be like this, I quite like losing sometimes," he said.

"It makes me push, makes me see things even more. I'm prepared for whatever happens, and I always am. I have to be consistent in everything I do, and that's on and off the pitch.

"It [the England game] has given me the feeling this team can go a lot further. That leaves you excited."