Euro 2016: Wales not afraid of Belgium - Chris Coleman
- Published
Euro 2016 qualifier: Wales v Belgium |
---|
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Friday, 12 June Kick-off: 19:45 BST |
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and the BBC Sport website |
Manager Chris Coleman says Wales have nothing to fear in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff on 12 June, despite their opponents now being ranked second in the world.
Belgium have moved to their highest ever position in the Fifa rankings and top Euro 2016 qualifying Group B, with Wales second on goal difference only.
Wales, unbeaten after three wins and two draws, are aiming to reach a first major tournament finals since 1958.
"We're not afraid," said Coleman.
"If you're going to do anything in football, if you're going to win a league or qualify in international football, you know you're going to be in a group where there are at least two extremely talented teams.
"Belgium are magnificent and there comes a time when you need to stand up to that challenge.
"We're against a top, top team, ranked second in the world, and they're there on merit. [But] there's no fear in our camp."
"We've just got to go out and perform and concentrate on the performance, I keep saying it.
"We've got to go and produce the type of performances that have made the Welsh public proud of their national football team again. We've got to keep continuing that."
The Belgians possess a talented squad and have experienced an upturn in fortunes recently, getting to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
But Wales, who have dropped down a place to 22nd in the latest Fifa rankings, can go top of Group B if they beat Marc Wilmots' side at Cardiff City Stadium.
Coleman says the nation is right to be excited after Wales' best start to a campaign since 2003.
"We're not going to say to the Welsh public, 'Keep calm'. They've got every right to get excited," he added.
"We just need to live up to the expectation. We have so far and that's why everyone is getting so excited.
"If we win the game, it doesn't mean we're guaranteed to qualify and, equally, if we don't get the three points, it doesn't mean we won't.
"It's another huge game. It's bigger than the last one and, every time we get a big result, the next one is even bigger."
- Published4 June 2015
- Published4 June 2015
- Published4 June 2015
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019