Craig Bellamy has described his first year in charge as Wales boss as the best of his life as he prepares his unbeaten team to take on Belgium tonight in Brussels.

Wales are unbeaten in nine games since Bellamy took over in August last year, with his side sitting top of Group J, six points ahead of tonight’s opponents.

This particular match holds some significance for the 45-year-old coach, who is returning to Brussels after four years, having been an integral part of Vincent Kompany’s staff at Anderlecht.

Bellamy was initially appointed the U21s manager in 2019, before being promoted to an assistant in the first team under the now-Bayern Munich boss.

Never one to mince his words, Bellamy is a bullish mood ahead of what could be a defining match in this early stage of his tenure.

As Wales beat Liechtenstein 3-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium, Belgium dropped two points away in Skopje to North Macedonia – in similar fashion to Wales in March when David Brooks’ late, late equaliser saved Bellamy from a first loss as Wales boss.

Asked if he thought that result put Belgium under pressure before facing Wales, Bellamy said: “No, I don’t. These games can happen. They haven’t lost.

“Did I expect them to get three points? I did. I need to see the game back to give you a better rundown on what happened and how it happened, and even for myself. But, yeah, North Macedonia played their part, so good.

“We go there and I’m not camping. I’m not sitting back. It’s not in my make-up. I can’t do it, I don’t want to do it.

“So let me watch the game a little bit more. I’ve got a little bit more in my head but I’m really excited about it.”

Wales were laboured against Liechtenstein – a game that Bellamy himself admitted has never been easy for his nation – and only took the lead in the 40th minute with Joe Rodon’s first goal for Wales via a Sorba Thomas corner.

After halftime, Wales were the dominant side, scoring through another header – this time from Harry Wilson – and a Kieffer Moore close-range finish.

The hosts looked better when David Brooks came on, drifting into pockets of space and consistently making the right decisions in and out of possession.

The only real bum note of the evening was the injury to Neco Williams in the first half, forcing him off for Jay Dasilva after 20 minutes. The Coventry City left back is not as much of an attacking threat as Williams, but is a well-balanced option.

Whether Bellamy trusts the 27-year-old tonight, or shifts his defence to include Chris Mepham and move captain Ben Davies out to the left flank remains to be seen. Notable also is his decision to include 18-year-old Ronan Kpakio in the 23-man squad.

If Wales are to top the group, and therefore qualify for next summer’s World Cup, they will need to at the very least avoid defeat. Bellamy, though, is taking his side to Brussels for only one thing: a victory.

“Whatever it will be, it rolls on if we get beat, but it’s going to happen. Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don’t live that way,” said the Wales boss.

“I’ve had so many setbacks in my life, it’s OK. I’m still here. And I’ve actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best.

“How did I get that at 45? It’s what I’ve been waiting for but, at the same time, it’s like I don’t know what’s around the corner.

“But I know what I’m going to do – enjoy everything. The good, the bad, whatever it is. Maybe I look too deep into stuff or maybe not. I try not to. But we’re here for a tiny, short time. I’m here today, I’ll be gone tomorrow, so why not enjoy it?”

Both sides have records that point to tonight’s being a draw: Wales have lost just two on their last 24 World Cup qualifying matches, while Belgium are unbeaten in 41 qualifiers across World Cup and EURO campaigns.

If Bellamy has anything to do with it – and you can be confident he will – then Wales will not be content will leaving Belgium with just one point.

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