An exhibtion game is not the same as a qualifier, and a qualification game is not the same as a knockout match. Wales have played Belgium, and they have beaten them. It was under competitive circumstances but it was just one of many qualifiers, and was played on their home turf.
Friday's game is just a little bit different. There are no second chances here, or other matches where you can make up ground and still qualify. This is a winner-takes-all and the stakes are a lot higher, which is very new ground for Coleman and his Welsh troops who have already overachieved by getting to this stage.
If Coleman is wise, and I know he is, he won't use that qualifier in Cardiff as a booster for them to feel extra confidence of beating Belgium. The only use that match has is on a tactical level in knowing that they have the players and setup to beat them. That's it. It just helps Coleman to prepare by taking what they did for that game, but adding to it and also assuming that Belgium will play a lot better with more passion, as there ought to be more Belgians in that stadium than Welsh, being as its so close. I mean, Belgians speak French so...
The blueprint is there. Defend tight, have men back behind the ball, and ensure Ramsey and Allen are there to pick up the loose balls for a counter, and can find Bale sprinting into space. Obviously there are more details to that plan, but that is the basic framework that I believe Coleman will follow. Nobody on that pitch will be quicker than Bale, and all Allen or Ramsey have to do is just find him. All it takes is just one really good pass, that can make the Belgians sweat.
Easier said than done. After what Hazard did to Hungary, Wales will be under intense and heavy pressure. They will need to bring their best defensive game and be pinpoint in their timing of tackles on a very quick-footed player. You've also got to take De Bruyne into account as well as Lukaku who all carry a big threat but in different ways.
This will be their sternest test as they have yet to face an attack as good as Belgium's in this tournament. I cannot stress how that game in Cardiff has zero bearing on the one tomorrow. This is square one and I can promise you that Belgium will be a lot better than they were that night.
Wales just have to make sure that they are just as good, and a little better. HH
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