Angry Wales boss Bellamy shows his new old self

Centre-back Joe Rodon said it was the first time this Wales team had seen Bellamy in such a rage. For anyone who followed the 46-year-old as a player, it would come as no surprise. The former Liverpool and Manchester City forward courted controversy on and off the field over the course of a career packed with notable achievements but several flashpoints too.

As much as Bellamy might have mellowed as a coach, his half-time tirade demonstrated that his fiery temper is still in there somewhere. And frankly, the game was so insipid that it needed something – or someone – to liven it up. This, after all, was not how Wales had imagined Tuesday would play out.

This was meant to be another of those famous nights under the Cardiff City Stadium lights, with a place at the World Cup on the line. Instead, what Wales got was a friendly against Northern Ireland. At home, yes, but not the game they wanted.

In fact, it was a match nobody wanted. Having lost their World Cup play-off semi-finals against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy respectively five days earlier, given the choice, Wales and Northern Ireland would probably have had the night off to wallow. Or at least that was the option a large number of fans appeared to have opted for, judging by the empty seats.