Craig Bellamy Calls Week \"Toughest\" as Wales Lose 1-0 to Canada

Wales manager Craig Bellamy described the past week as the toughest of his career, after a youthful side was edged 1-0 by World Cup co-hosts Canada in a friendly in Swansea.

Believing that facing high-calibre teams accelerates development, Bellamy selected Canada, ranked three places above Wales, to test his fringe players under intense, fast-paced conditions. This was his first friendly since taking charge.

In total, three players made their Wales debuts in Swansea—Ronan Kpakio, Joel Colwill and Kai Andrews—joining Dylan Lawlor, who debuted in Kazakhstan last week. While Wales fielded talent from lower leagues, Canada fielded a near-full-strength squad, reflecting their status as co-hosts at next summer’s World Cup.

"We need top-level opposition to improve our speed of play and decision-making," Bellamy explained. "Although I hate losing more than I like winning, the exposure is invaluable."

Building a broader squad

With Wales’ limited resources, expanding the player pool is essential. Bellamy praised his young side’s adaptability and highlighted captain Ben Davies as a model professional. "They got a proper example today," he said. "I hope they become top players for Wales in the future—starting now."

‘See you at the World Cup!’

The match carried an intensity beyond a typical friendly, featuring seven yellow cards and on-field celebrations before the final whistle. Bellamy, though stung by the 1-0 scoreline, welcomed Canada’s competitive edge and even invited a rematch. "I hope I see you again at the World Cup," he said.

Bellamy insists that regularly facing top-tier opposition is crucial for Wales’ progress and was pleased with his young squad’s resilience despite the 1-0 defeat.

This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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