Bellamy's Wales declare spectacular win to safe International locations League promotion

Liam Cullen used to be the two-goal hero as Wales got here from in the back of to overcome Iceland 4-1 and safe promotion to the highest tier of the UEFA International locations League.

Entering the general fixture, Craig Bellamy’s aspect knew {that a} win and any dropped issues for Turkey would imply promotion, and make sure they have shyed away from a play-off sport.

They needed to do it the exhausting method, coming from in the back of, as Andri Gudjohnsen, son of Eidur, put Age Hareide’s guests in entrance on 8 mins with a neat end between Danny Ward’s legs, after the Leicester Town goalkeeper had stored out Orri Oskarsson in very good model.

Wales have been degree simply after the 30 minutes mark as Cullen stole in and glanced a deft header into the some distance nook from Brennan Johnson’s inswinging go, and he used to be on the double at the stroke of half-time, sliding in to transform the rebound after Dan James have been to begin with denied through Hakon Valdirmarsson following excellent link-up play with Mark Harris.

Tottenham Hotspur’s in-form Johnson made it 3 with 65 mins at the clock as Cullen grew to become supplier, taking part in a chic go into the trail of the winger, who completed with aplomb.

Harry Wilson, the Fulham midfielder, carried his scorching streak of membership sort onto the global level as he notched the hosts’ fourth with a sensational strike from outdoor the world, once more made through Cullen, who confirmed very good resolution to make an extended punt from Ward stick and grasp off Iceland centre-back Sverrir Ingason.

Wales had accomplished all they might to safe promotion, and success used to be on their aspect, with Montenegro beating Turkey within the different sport to substantiate The Dragons as team winners, and condemn Turkey to the play-offs.

In earlier years, Wales groups would possibly smartly have crumbled below the drive of going a target down in such a very powerful sport, however no longer this time, no longer below Bellamy.

The previous Manchester Town and West Ham United ahead is unbeaten in his tenure as Welsh supervisor, and he has instilled a newfound trust on this younger Wales aspect, who lack the departed previous heads of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

As an alternative, they’ve their new guard coming to the fore – Johnson, Cullen, Joe Rodon and the remainder – they usually march on into Europe’s best tier, to take at the continent’s elites all over again.

It’s exhausting to not award it to a participant with a hand in all 4 of his aspect’s targets.

The Swansea Town midfielder ran the display in Cardiff, scoring two times and helping the others, in a whole efficiency from the engine room.

He confirmed his want to wreck into the field, his willingness to get caught in and do his defensive tasks, and in addition his inventive instincts, demonstrated through his threaded via ball for Johnson’s end.

Wales: Ward 7, Williams 6, Cabango 7, Rodon 7, Davies 6, Cullen 9, Sheehan 6, Johnson 7, Wilson 7, D James 6, Harris 7. Subs: Thomas 6, Allen 6, Roberts 6, J James 6.

Iceland: Valdimarsson 6, Fridriksson 6, Ingason 6, Palsson 6, Sampsted 6, Gudmundsson 5, Johannesson 6, Traustason 5, Thorsteinsson 6, Gudjohnsen 6, Oskarsson 6. Subs: Thordarson 6, Willumsson 6, Porhallsson 6, Ellertsson 6.

8’: GOAL! WALES 0-1 ICELAND (GUDJOHNSEN) It is there, and Wales are in the back of so early! Williams does not take care of a deep go, as Oskarsson powers a header at target from Gudmundsson’s go. Ward makes an ideal save, getting up, however Gudjohnsen is onto the rebound, and he slots between Ward’s legs to open the scoring.

32’: GOAL! WALES 1-1 ICELAND (CULLEN) Wales are degree, and it is Liam Cullen! The house aspect deserve that, they have got been superb within the final ten mins. Rodon switches play for Johnson, who has Williams in toughen. The whole-back returns it to Johnson, who swings in a left-footed go, and Cullen glances a header into the some distance nook! 1-1!

45+1’: GOAL! WALES 2-1 ICELAND (CULLEN) That is the elusive target that Wales have been on the lookout for, and it is Cullen who doubles his cash! Dan James does truly smartly when he is slid in through Harris, and he is going for target however is denied through Valdimarsson, however Cullen is there to slip the rebound house!

65’: GOAL! WALES 3-1 ICELAND (JOHNSON) It is 3, and it is the guy in sort, Brennan Johnson! A slick counter assault, harrying the Icelandic midfield, as Cullen claims ownership and slides a really perfect go in for Johnson, who speeds down the precise. He bears down on target, and slots it into the some distance nook with aplomb.

79’: GOAL! WALES 4-1 ICELAND (WILSON) It is 4, and that may be a sensational strike from Wilson! It is path one stuff from the house aspect, as Ward is going lengthy against Cullen, who makes the ball stick and has Ingason suffering. Wilson selections up the items and hits it beautifully, with the trouble dipping into the ground nook!