' MATCH THREAD " BELGIUM V WALES " MATCH THREAD '

Marc Wilmots says that he wants the “exact opposite” from Adnan Januzaj for Belgium than his role at Manchester United.

Belgium take on Wales in their next Euro 2016 qualifier at the weekend, with Januzaj expected to feature.

And Wilmots wants teenager Januzaj to do the reverse of what he does for his club.

“I saw the two games he played with Antonio Valencia behind him,” said Wilmots.

“Van Gaal asked him to stand close to the sidelines, I ask exactly the opposite, that he comes inside.

“I want him to come on to his left foot from the right to give that ball or shoot at goal.”

The 19-year-old has made nine Premier League appearances for Manchester United so far this season.

Lose 3-1

GARETH BALE has been hailed as the best Welsh footballer of a generation - even better than Ryan Giggs.

Thursday 13/11/14



That’s the verdict of former Wales skipper Craig Bellamy, who played alongside both superstars for his country.

Bale, 25, has scored eight goals in his last 12 internationals and has been instrumental in guiding the Dragons to the top of their Euro 2016 qualification group ahead of Sunday’s crunch showdown in Belgium.

And that superb run of form by Real Madrid ace Bale has been enough to put him ahead of ex-Manchester United great Giggs.

Bellamy said: "Bale is just exceptional. He is the best Welsh player I have seen playing a Wales shirt. That’s playing and watching in my time over the years.

“I’ve not seen a player as good as what Bale has given to a Welsh football team at this present moment.”

But Bellamy, who retired from Wales duty 13 months ago following a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against the Belgians in Brussels, insists Chris Coleman’s high-flying side are not a one-man team in Bale.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen of Liverpool are fit again after missing the double-header with Bosnia and Cyprus last month to boost their hopes of a positive result at the King Baudouin Stadium.

And 78-cap forward Bellamy has warned the Belgians that the table-topping Dragons have reached nowhere near their peak in Group B yet.

Wales hoping Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale can fire them to Belgium victory
GARETH BALE got the better of Chelsea ace Thibaut Courtois in the Champions League final - and Wales are praying the Real Madrid superstar can do the same against Belgium's No. 1 this weekend.

The world's most expensive player scored the decisive second goal past the then Atletico keeper in last May's 4-1 final triumph in Lisbon.

And Wales stopper Wayne Hennessey hopes Bale is in the mood once again in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Brussels.

Hennessey said: "Bale got the header against Courtois in the Champions League final and I hope he can do the same.

"Baleo is an unbelievable talent. We've all seen how he can punish people and get goals from all angles.

"Courtois will have done his homework on Bale but he's got all the ability in the world. He practices all the time and that's why he is so good."

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footba ... le-Belgium

I love the ability through the pitch in the current Welsh team. But it's sad that we're missing an out and out striker. Especially when in the past that was probably our best asset (Rush, Hughes). I'm not trying to play Devil's advocate too much, but could Ched Evans have filled the void had he not been convicted of such a terrible crime?

I still feel we can get a 0 - 0 draw, but can't see where our goals will come from, other than maybe Bale?

Enjoy the trip, those who are going. I've been to Antwerp and had a great time!! I'm sure you lads will have the same in Brussels!!!

Cymru am byth!

0-0

Belgium v Wales: Real Madrid star Gareth Bale looking forward to taking on Eden Hazard and co.
Nov 14, 2014


By Matthew Southcombe
Wales travel to Brussels at the top of Group B but face their toughest test yet against fourth in the world Belgium



Gareth Bale insists Wales won't be intimidated by group favourites Belgium when they travel to Brussels on Sunday.

After a good start to the campaign, Wales will face their toughest test yet against Belgium, who are fourth in the world and boast the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

Despite that, Bale insists that Wales are confident in their own ability and fully capable of earning three points.

"We're in a great situation ourselves at the moment and we're looking forward to the game on the weekend," said Bale.

"We know how good a team Belgium are, but we also know how good a team we are.

"We know it's going to be difficult to go there and win but we'll be fully focused and fully prepared to do that and hopefully we'll come away with all three points."



Chris Coleman's men find themselves top of Group B after wins against Andorra and Cyprus along with a draw against Bosnia.

It's an unfamiliar situation but the winger says that the team isn't phased by the prospect of being on top.

"It's something that I think we're all relishing, it's something that we're excited about, ultimately that's where we want to be.

"We're going to give it our all, go out all guns blazing and try and do as best we can."

Wayne Hennessey happy to watch Gareth Bale steal the limelight

The Real Madrid star also had a word for the Welsh fans, who turned out in force for the two home games in October.

For the game against Bosnia, the crowd was particularly large when more than 30,000 turned up to the Cardiff City Stadium and Bale believes it helped the players get a result.

"The fans have been amazing," he said.

"It was important that we got off to a good start in Andorra and it's kind of been a snowball effect.

"The last two games at home the fans were incredible, ultimately I think they got us over the line in both games.

"Now we're top of the league, hopefully they will keep coming back and supporting us."

We going to get trounced 3 or 4 past us

Gareth Bale versus Eden Hazard: How the two superstars measure up ahead of Belgium v Wales showdown

So, the current transfer rumour doing the rounds is that Gareth Bale will be joining Manchester United in a new world record £90million deal in January, with Eden Hazard replacing him at Real Madrid.

The two superstars have each moved to deny the gossip.

“Absolute rubbish,” says Bale’s representative David Manasseh. “It is not true that Gareth wants to return to the Premier League. Everything is going well for him at Madrid and he wants to continue to wear the Real Madrid jersey.”

“I’m very happy with Chelsea,” stated Hazard. “I never said that Real Madrid is my dream. If there is a club that makes me dream, it’s Chelsea.”

Still, though, the speculation keeps rearing its head.

And in one of those twists of fate only football can provide, it comes at the exact time Bale and Hazard go into battle for their countries, the two undisputed kingpins who hold the key to the outcome of the Belgium versus Wales Euro showdown in Brussels on Sunday night.

The game has gone under the radar somewhat, but it’s probably the biggest fixture Wales have had since Mark Hughes’ Dragons tangled with England at Old Trafford in a World Cup qualifier back in 2004.

Wales have had lots of significant matches since, including a return clash with the old enemy at the Millennium Stadium on John Toshack’s watch, plus closely contested qualifiers in the Czech Republic and Russia which they were desperately unlucky to lose.
Under Chris Coleman, Wales tangled with the Belgians again, this time at Cardiff City Stadium, at the beginning of the last World Cup qualifying campaign.

But the trouble is they lost that one 2-0, were battered in Serbia and it was pretty much Brazil 2014 over before the campaign had barely begun.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... rd-8113201?

2 nil Belgium says my head but gut feeling we may get a draw

TEAM NEWS :

Belgium are without Steven Defour, Kevin Mirallas and Thomas Vermaelen while the hammer blow of Vincent Kompany’s absence with a calf tear adds to the worry of a weakened defence, Toby Alderweireld likely to move from right-back to the centre. The quality of Marc Wilmots’ squad means there are tight calls all over the pitch with Nacer Chadli, Kevin de Bruyne, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku able to step into the side.

Wales have a relatively clean bill of health – only David Edwards, Andy King, Jonny Williams and Simon Church missing from the last camp – but Coleman is likely to stick with the players in the shirt in some cases meaning James Chester and Chris Gunter will keep out the fit-again James Collins and Adam Matthews while Ben Davies loses out to Neil Taylor. A 4-4-2 diamond is a possible option for Coleman with a compact midfield given width by attacking full-backs, Gareth Bale deployed behind Hal Robson-Kanu in attack.

Belgium vs Wales Euro 2016 qualifying: Eden Hazard not interested in personal battle with Gareth Bale
Nov 15, 2014

By Chris Wathan

Belgium's talisman Eden Hazard has claimed the Euro 2016 qualifier is too important to be billed as a battle between him and Gareth Bale


Eden Hazard has insisted there’s more at stake on Sunday than bragging rights between the Chelsea ace and Gareth Bale...because Wales are too good.

Hazard, 23, has established himself as one of Europe’s top players under Jose Mourinho while Bale, the world’s most expensive player, has gone onto another level since his £85m move from Spurs to Real Madrid last summer.

And the Euro 2016 qualifying clash between their nations is being billed as a showdown between two of the best attacking talents on the planet.

But Hazard – who admits he needs to show his club form for his country – has claimed the game has bigger importance to be about individuals as he warned favourites Belgium about the strength of a belief-fuelled Wales.



Bale is the man Wales will look to for inspiration


Chris Coleman’s side top Group B going into the King Baudouin Stadium meeting, with home fans hoping Hazard can deliver for the World Cup quarter-finalists.

And Hazard said: “I haven’t found my best form here at the Red Devils and I don’t know why. I talked about it with the coach and I’ll keep on trying doing my best. I’m in good shape and don’t have any injuries so I’ll hope I’ll keep on improving at the national team.

“It’s a tough game and Wales have Bale but let’s not turn this game into a personal contest. We, as Belgians, want to win on Sunday. Wales have a great team and in football everything is possible but because we’re playing at home, we normally have to win.”

A Welsh victory and there will no stopping us

Sounds like Fellaini will start for Belgium as will Origi

' WALES TEAM NEWS '

01 Hennessey
02 Gunter
04 Chester
06 Williams
03 Taylor
07 Allen
16 Ledley
10 Ramsey
11 Bale
09 Robson-Kanu
08 Cotterill

Substitutes
05 Davies
12 Williams
13 Dummett
14 Gabbidon
15 Huws
17 Lawrence
18 Ricketts
19 Matthews
20 Taylor
21 Ward
22 Collins

When you compare the teams it's hard to see us getting anything. Let's hope Bale has a hell of a game.

When you compare the teams it's hard to see us getting anything. Let's hope Bale has a hell of a game.

Its going to be very tough Luke, but it can be done

Aaron Ramsey almost played in by Bale, Vertonghen gets a tackle in to deny a shooting chance

Fine save by Courtois denies Bale's swerving effort and Belgium clear. (14 mins)

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30 minutes gone.

All Belgium and they are looking good. Very patient build up and can step the pace up like lightning. We are doing well to hold them at the moment but need something to take the pressure off.

Coterill being found out- sub at Ht please

Bale wasted upfront.

0-0 Half Time

plenty of positives there, will be difficult to contain them though, need a goal to get any kind of result i think

plenty of positives there, will be difficult to contain them though, need a goal to get any kind of result i think

I agree, Coleman will be delighted to have a kept a clean sheet, the 2nd half is going to be tough and we have to try and hit Belguim on the break.

Williams on for Cotterill for 2nd half. Should be interesting.

The hour (60m) mark.

We are looking the team that might get the goal now. Belgium looking frustrated but also looking capable of getting back on track. Great run by Bale and we could have gone one up.

Benteke on for Chadli. Does not look like it is going to get easy for us.

75 minute mark.

A great 30 minutes for Wales but expect Belgium to up it now.

Inside the final ten minutes, Wales need to stay focussed, Belguim will be desperate to get the goal.