Bellamy said beforehand that Wales would “know a lot more” about themselves and their World Cup credentials after this match in Turkey, the team’s sternest examination yet under their hitherto unbeaten head coach.
Wales had impressed in their first four matches under Bellamy, not only because of their two wins and two draws but because of the nature of their performances and expansive new style of play.
That was abundantly clear in Bellamy’s opening game, a goalless draw at home to Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey in September which Wales dominated and were unfortunate not to win.
On this occasion, however, it was a different story as Turkey seized control.
The home side monopolised possession and camped in the Wales half. With such vociferous support in the stands, Turkey were suffocating their opponents on and off the field.
One of the main reasons for the shift in power from September was the presence of Turkey’s captain and Ballon d’Or nominee Hakan Calhanoglu, who was only on the bench in Cardiff.
Here, the Inter Milan midfielder dictated the tempo of the game with an exhibition of passing which kept his own team in perpetual motion and often left Wales’ players grasping for the ball in vain.
Turkey’s best chance of the first half fell to Akgun, who saw his shot inside the penalty area brilliantly palmed away by onrushing Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Although his side were under near-constant pressure, Darlow did not have many other notable saves to make and it was actually Wales who came closest to scoring before the break.
They had a goal disallowed when Mark Harris was flagged offside before crossing to Jordan James, whose superb first-time finish whistled into the far corner.
Harris was involved again in first-half stoppage time, evading Turkey defenders as he skipped along the left touchline before finding Wilson, whose low strike hit the base of the post and bounced to safety.
That was Harris’ final involvement before he was replaced by Daniel James at half-time, perhaps still feeling the effects of his earlier clash of heads with Joe Rodon.
Having been limited to fleeting counter-attacks in the first half, Wales enjoyed some longer spells of possession in the second as they sought to turn a creditable draw into a win which would turbocharge their hopes of winning the group.
Welsh hearts might have skipped a beat when Unal missed from close range, Akgun’s cross from the right hitting the Bournemouth striker’s knee and bouncing wide.
Bellamy was not going to settle for a point and he showed his intent by replacing central midfielder Jordan James with the more attack-minded David Brooks.
Although Wales tired in the closing stages and Turkey still posed a threat – Real Madrid’s Arda Guler shooting over from a promising position – Bellamy’s men searched gamely for a winning goal.
It looked like they had been dealt a cruel late blow when Spanish referee Juan Martinez Munuera awarded Turkey a penalty after Williams’ sliding challenge on Akgun, in which the Wales full-back appeared to get the ball.
However, despite sending Darlow the wrong way, Akturkoglu also sent the ball the wrong way as his spot-kick clipped the post on its way for a goal kick.
In the end, the draw felt like reward for Wales’ admirable effort in testing conditions.
The result may not enhance their Nations League prospects, but this will certainly prove to be a valuable experience when it comes to their longer-term, and more important goal, of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Image source, Getty Images
