Wales Captain Ben Davies Commends Coach Craig Bellamy's Composure During Victory Over Kazakhstan

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Wales captain Ben Davies praised head coach Craig Bellamy's calmness during their 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan at Cardiff City Stadium. Dan James scored first for Wales in the ninth minute, but Askhat Tagybergen equalised with a penalty. In the second half, Davies, who assisted James' goal, and Rabbi Matondo added to the scoreline.

Wales initially struggled with only four shots and an expected goals tally of 0.27 before halftime. However, they improved significantly after the break with eight shots and an expected goals figure of 1.91. Davies scored from Sorba Thomas' corner in the 47th minute, a set-piece strategy that James noted was a key focus.

Davies credited Bellamy for his composed approach at halftime. Despite being known for his fiery temperament as a player, Bellamy remained calm and provided clear instructions. "He came in Mr. Calm," Davies told BBC Sport, highlighting Bellamy's effective communication and strategic adjustments.

Dan James echoed this sentiment, stating that Bellamy encouraged them to persist and maintain energy levels. "There were moments in the first half where we didn't control the game as much as we wanted to," James said, acknowledging their improved control in the second half.

The importance of set-pieces was underscored by James, who remarked on their significance in international football. "Second half we came out and scored a great set-piece," he said, emphasising their practice efforts paying off.

Despite Wales being favourites, Davies acknowledged Kazakhstan's strong performance. He noted how challenging it can be when expectations are high against determined opponents. "They made it really difficult for us," he admitted, recognising Kazakhstan's compact defence.

The match highlighted Wales' ability to adapt and improve under pressure. With Bellamy's guidance and strategic focus on set-pieces, they secured a promising start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.