Sport
WHY THE NEW EUROS FORMAT HAS ENLIVENED QUALIFICATION
As Wales prepare to take on Belgium at a sell-out Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night, they find themselves in an unfamiliar position. The nation that has only qualified for a major international tournament once in its history – and that was the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, now almost 60 years ago – knows that victory over the side currently listed second in the Fifa rankings will put it one step closer to competing in its debut European Championship in France next summer.
It has hitherto been a fine campaign for the Welsh: Chris Coleman’s outfit remain undefeated after five games and sit in second place in Group B with 11 points.
March’s comprehensive 3-0 victory over Israel in Haifa represents the high point so far. Wales dominated from start to finish, playing some extremely attractive football and also demonstrating a clinical edge in front of goal.
That win followed a highly creditable 0-0 draw in Belgium four months previously. A solid and resolute Wales were forced to dig in for much of the 90 minutes but still managed to come away with a valuable point that could make a real difference after all 10 matches have been played. The Belgians may have dominated possession and created most of the chances, but Wales hung on and showed they would be genuine competitors in the group.
Four points from their two hardest games – Israel and Belgium away – is a fantastic return. With home ties against Andorra and Israel and trips to Cyprus and a struggling Bosnia-Herzegovina to come in the autumn, qualification is in Wales’ own hands.
First and foremost, they will be focused on attempting to take a positive result from Friday’s encounter with Marc Wilmots’ men. It will be an extremely stern test: Belgium, who have already been tipped by many as potential Euro 2016 winners, showcased their qualities with a thrilling 4-3 friendly defeat of France in Paris earlier this week. With the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Benteke and Thibaut Courtois to call upon, the Belgians are clear favourites to triumph.
Nevertheless, Wales will still fancy their chances of springing a surprise. Gareth Bale – who may be used as a lone striker and look to counter through the centre of the pitch – has been in inspired form at international level, while Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley and Joe Allen make for an excellent midfield trio. Ashley Williams has been another key man so far, the Swansea centre-back marshalling a defensive unit that has conceded only two goals in five matches.
Uefa’s changes to the tournament’s format have certainly enlivened the qualification process and given countries like Wales a real chance of succeeding. The European Championship has been a 16-team contest since England hosted the 1996 edition; twenty years on and 24 teams will feature for the first time, with the confederation’s president Michel Platini arguing that the current depth of quality on the continent should be reflected in the competition.
Concerns remain about a dilution of quality next summer, while some critics have complained that the new arrangement almost guarantees each of the larger nations a place in the finals.
There is no doubt, though, that the switch has emboldened countries like Wales, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Iceland, Scotland and Albania, who would rarely have expected to feature in the Euros under the old format but are now in strong positions to finish in the top two and qualify automatically.
