Craig Bellamy wants Canada World Cup rematch after Jesse Marsch celebrations
Phil Blanche, PA
Craig Bellamy criticised Jesse Marsch for celebrating victory before the final whistle of their Swansea friendly and wants a rematch at the World Cup next year.
Derek Cornelius’ ferocious 25-yard free-kick four minutes from half-time secured a 1-0 Canada win and condemned Bellamy to only the second defeat of his 12-game reign, and first at home.
But boss Bellamy was unhappy with the way former Leeds boss Marsch behaved in stoppage time with Wales still trying to salvage a draw against the 2026 World Cup co-hosts.
“I still wanted to win, trust me,” Bellamy said after selecting a side showing eight changes from the 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory in Kazakhstan on Thursday.
“Honestly, I’m actually not happy because I really hate losing more than I like winning.
“I see him (Marsch) celebrating at the end. I’m thinking, ‘I hope I see you at the World Cup. I hope I see you again’.
“But I have to also be gracious. Jesse was shaking his coaches’ hands before the final whistle. I have to get used to that.”
Bellamy handed debuts to three players with Cardiff teenager Ronan Kpakio starting at right-back.
Midfielders Joel Colwill and Kai Andrews came off the bench to win their first caps.
“I don’t do excuses,” he said. “I don’t talk about process. I’m in the here and now, I want to win.
“But we had debuts, it was Charlie Crew’s first start, and we had one or two fringe players.
“I needed to see the squad and what they picked up with us. Can they play our way? I very impressed with that.
“But that speed of securing balls and seeing pressure, coming up with the ball, some of our boys have never been exposed to that.”
Wales are in friendly action again next month, away to England at Wembley on October 9, before the big World Cup qualifier at home to Belgium four days later.
Bellamy side’s must win that Cardiff clash to have any hope of topping their World Cup group and avoiding the play-offs in March.
He said: “We need to play top teams because of the speed, the transition, all these moments, the physicality.
“We have to move the ball quicker, we have to make decisions quicker. That’s what I believe top players are able to do and on a consistent basis.”
Having followed up their 3-0 victory in Romania with another win, Marsch said: “Wales did a good job with a mixed line-up of putting some plays together, challenging our pressing.
“Our team never got frustrated. We bent but didn’t break, and it was a really good defensive performance in general to get two clean sheets.”
MORE: Wales beaten by Canada as Craig Bellamy suffers first home defeat of his reign
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
I was at the game, very disappointed with the Canadian’s gamesmanship full stop. Feigning injury, theatrically throwing themselves to the floor, and fouling to break up play. Their approach was shoddy. I’m confident if we get to the World Cup and play them again we’ll win. PS well done Bellers for giving minutes to some of our younger players.
Definitely agree. We didn’t have a strong squad out and a better ref would have clamped down on not only their diving but also their shirt pulling which seemed to be constant. a******e of a manager getting his players to also play like arseholes.
Canada – the Burton Albion of international football.