Craig Bellamy’s war-cry provides fuel for Wales’ World Cup dream – now it’s time for the fire

Four years ago, Wales qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years with two nervy one-goal victories in Cardiff , spurred on by their bombastic ‘Red Wall’ support. Now, the Dragons are chasing their second Finals appearance in three-and-a-half years and, once again, have been gifted home advantage in, potentially, both play-off contests. Deja vu, much?

An engrossing showdown next Tuesday, most likely against four-time world champions Italy, would await Craig Bellamy ’s men if they can see off the threat of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their talismanic 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko , with 146 caps and 72 goals in his back pocket, on Thursday night . Any temptations from the FAW (Football Association of Wales) to shift these titanic matches to the 80,000-capacity Principality Stadium were rightly ignored. It’s no overstatement to suggest that the raucous home support at the Cardiff City Stadium – with a win-rate around 65 per cent over the past decade – could well make the difference in the next five days.

"I honestly feel we should be at this tournament, I feel we will be a massive asset to the World Cup,” Bellamy said on Wednesday. A reference not just to his squad, potential eeked out to the max, but the country’s typically passionate fanbase. “It will mean everything to qualify; it allows us to keep moving forward as a team and a nation.

” The parallels to 2022’s qualification are stark. No longer able to rely on Gareth Bale ’s solo match-winning heroics, the burden has fallen on another left-footed playmaker in Welsh red, cutting in so wondrously from the right, to be this generation’s linchpin. Harry Wilson has grabbed the mantle and some.