Wales vs Turkey LIVE: Nations League result and reaction as hosts settle for draw despite strong performance
Wales 0-0 Turkey: Sorba Thomas had a goal disallowed as the Dragons impressed in Craig Bellamy’s debut as head coach
Craig Bellamy’s first match in charge of the Welsh national team was an exciting and promising affair that displayed how he wants them to play going forward. The Dragons hosted Turkey at the Cardiff City Stadium and drew 0-0 in a positive performance that had flair and style.
From the get-go Wales were the more aggressive team. They took charge of the ball and utilised the pace of forwards Brennan Johnson and Sorba Thomas who set up on either wing. In the middle Aaron Ramsey and Harry Wilson juggled playmaking duties admirably as Wales created the better chances over the first 45 minutes.
Ramsey nodded a chance over the top and Joe Rodon failed to convert from close range. The best chance fell to Thomas who broke through the lines and perfectly lobbed the goalkeeper only to be ruled offside.
In the second half there was hope of a famous win after Baris Yilmaz collected a second yellow card and Turkey went down to 10 men. Bellamy made substitutions to try and keep the energy levels high, but Wales couldn’t break the deadlock, and the match finished goalless.
Not the result the Welsh fans wanted but they were encouraged by the performance. Bellamy has Wales playing exciting football.
Relive the updates and reaction from the Nations League below:
Wales line-up versus Turkey
Wales XI: Ward; Roberts, Rodon, Davies, Williams; Thomas, Ampadu, James, Ramsey, Wilson; Johnson
Turkey XI: Gunok; Celik, Soyuncu, Bardakci, Muldur; Guler, Ayhan, Kokcu, Yusek, Yildiz; Yilmaz
Bellamy won’t dwell on special occasion
Asked at his pre-match press conference what walking out in front of the fans would feel like Criag Bellamy said: “Of course it goes over in your head. It’s going to be a very proud moment.
“I’ve worked hard for this and I’m going to recognise that. But that moment when the game gets going, I’m not paid to be emotional. I’m paid to make the best decisions possible on the side.
“That’s the business I’m in straightaway. Of course I’m proud and I’m fully aware that the moment is going to catch me.
“But it has to leave very quick because there’s a big responsibility and the players need me as well.
“Being prepared for different solutions that could occur and being calm to make the right decision at the right moment. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Ramsey remains Wales captain
Aaron Ramsey remains Wales captain after deciding to prolong his international career just four months from his 34th birthday.
The 84-times capped Ramsey has been blighted by injury and not played for Wales in almost 12 months, remaining on the bench during the Euro 2024 play-off final defeat to Poland in March.
“It was frustrating not to get over the line and qualify, and not to come on as well (against Poland) and not have an impact. I didn’t want to go out like that,” said Ramsey.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of success for this team and I definitely want to be part of that. I think I can add value to that as well ahead of the World Cup. I don’t see any value in just playing the Nations League.
“It’s all the way through now. I’m feeling good. I’m excited with the potential of this team.”
‘Wales have score to settle'
Harry Wilson believes Wales have a score to settle with Turkey after missing out on Euro 2024.
Wales finished behind group winners Turkey and Croatia in Euro 2024 qualifying, forcing them down the play-off route where they eventually succumbed to Poland on penalties.
Turkey are back in Cardiff on Friday for Wales’ Nations League game opener, and Fulham attacker Wilson said: “I’d say we definitely owe them one after the last campaign.
“We were hard done by in Cardiff. The game out there, they were the better team before the red card. We we were still it in then (at 0-0), but as soon as you go down to 10 men it’s tough away from home.”
Harry Wilson on Craig Bellamy
The international paths of Harry Wilson and Craig Bellamy crossed for a few brief minutes as the former came off the bench in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium in October 2013, becoming Wales’ youngest player at the age of 16 years and 207 days.
Bellamy brought the curtain down on his 78-cap Wales career following that Brussels draw, saying after the game Wilson was too young to be capped.
“We’ve not spoken about that. I feel like we’re focused on the here and now,” said Wilson, “He said in one of the meetings that he didn’t get to qualify as a player.
“But he’s watched as a fan and seen the older boys in the squad qualify for multiple major tournaments, and then myself and some of the younger ones that have been to two.
“He wasn’t able to get there as a player, but as a coach he really feels like he can lead us to another one. To see the standard he set as a player was great, and I feel like he’s taken that into his coaching.”
New Wales manager Craig Bellamy reveals why he jumped at ‘rare’ opportunity
Craig Bellamy has revealed that the opportunity to manage Wales was too rare an opportunity to turn down as he spoke for the first time since being appointed.
The former Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle forward was named as the new Wales manager earlier this week, replacing Rob Page, who was sacked after a poor run of results ended in Wales failing to qualify for Euro 2024.
Bellamy, who could have remained at Burnley as an assistant to Scott Parker, made 78 appearances for his country between 1998 and 2013, and is a former Wales captain.
Craig Bellamy reveals why he jumped at ‘rare’ opportunity with Wales
The former Wales captain was appointed after impressing the Welsh FA
Wales vs Turkey
Wales have only won one of their past five matches against Turkey (two draws, two defeats), winning 2-0 at Euro 2020.
Wales vs Turkey
Turkey have failed to win any of their four away matches against Wales (two draws, two defeats), scoring just one goal in those four games, a Yusuf Yazıcı penalty in a 1-1 draw in November 2023.
Wales vs Turkey
Wales have failed to score in their past three games, with their most recent match a 4-0 defeat by Slovakia in June. They have not gone four without a goal since September 2012, with new boss Craig Bellamy playing in three of those four matches.
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