Montenegro vs Wales: Craig Bellamy Secures First Win 2-1 as Wales Manager
Montenegro vs Wales Updates: In their Nations League match, Wales defeated Montenegro 2-1 after a fierce battle, which was Craig Bellamy’s first victory as manager of the national team.
Montenegro made a late charge, but Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson’s early goals ensured the victory.
Moore’s first goal, which halted Wales’ longest scoreless streak of four games since September 2012, was timed at 37 seconds, making it the team’s fastest goal since 2003.
Wales managed to hold on for three points following their first Group B4 draw against Euro 2024 quarterfinalists Turkey, despite Driton Camaj setting up a spectacular finale that such an intriguing contest deserved. Wales had the early lead, but they were under attack from both their aggressive Montenegro hosts and the Niksic elements.
The game was being played despite doubts earlier in the day due to persistent rain, but there were plenty of crunching obstacles on a surface that would eventually break apart. Niksic was holding its first senior men’s international match because UEFA ruled Podgorica’s national stadium field unfit for use.
“It was the most difficult and demanding conditions,” Wales manager Bellamy remarked following the match. “I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever played a game like that before, but I doubt it. I was very soaked from being on the side, and it kept getting worse. That was not what I had planned for early September in Montenegro.
“But that’s all it was; it turned into a fight. It was just not possible to play football under those circumstances. All we had to do was fight it out, and this bunch is capable of doing so. They own that. It’s why they’ve participated in important competitions, and it’s what helped them get through today.
“You could not have predicted the weather for today. A part of me initially believed that this one may be postponed, but fortunately, it wasn’t.”
Moore scored his 13th international goal off a post when he seized on pinball in the Montenegro penalty area, breaking Wales’ goal drought on the opening attack.
Wales’ fortunes soon improved as Wilson received a pass from Neco Williams and fired an incredible 25-yard shot past an astonished Milan Mijatovic into the top corner. In an intense first half, Nikola Krstovic nearly cut the lead in half with a cross that went just wide of Stefan Mugosa, but Ethan Ampadu was booked.
When Ampadu lost control and Jovetic noticed Darlow wandering outside of his area, he made a daring attempt to strike the crossbar from inside his own half, bringing them even closer.
Jovetic was superbly stopped by Darlow at close range, and Ben Davies used all of his expertise to withdraw and deny Camaj with a fantastic goal-line clearing as the ball broke. Before the half, Johnson replaced the hobbling Connor Roberts and stung Mijatovic’s hands as the hour approached.
When Moore had the easiest tap-in opportunity after Wilson found Davies across the goal’s face, Wales should have taken the lead, but Moore fired over from five yards.
Vladimir Jovovic hit an upright from 20 yards out, but Montenegro would not give up, and Krstovic covered the rebound.
Though Jovetic shook hands with the experienced forward as a result of Darlow’s outstanding save, Montenegro‘s long-awaited goal finally arrived after 73 minutes.
Although Camaj poked the ball into an empty net and Krstovic sprinted clear, the late home pressure was in vain.
Bellamy praises the unity of Wales | ‘I don’t want them to go!’
“I’m surprised to have two so early, but this trip has been hectic due to the weather and pitch change. Though you make every effort to plan ahead, this situation was unavoidable.
“I understood the character rather well. We truly had to make a journey to come here and play because the game was moved, so we had to travel a great distance to be here today. The bus driver also seemed to be traveling at a leisurely pace, which made the trip take longer.
“These are the challenges that arise when you play away, but when I saw the players’ unity and heard the music they were playing when they came, I knew that everything would be alright. I am familiar with this group, and based on what I have observed of them this week, leading or being a member of them is an honor. It is, in fact.
“This week has been excellent. I was a little bit sad as well as excited for this game last night. I won’t see them for a few weeks because they’re leaving right now. I’d prefer that they stay! I have really loved working with them to that extent.
“I hope they share my sentiments, but the staff is also deserving of praise. They work extremely hard and are a pleasure to work with. In times like that, when this group and I are together, I’m picking up knowledge from them as well. This week, they also taught me a lot.”
