MANAGER Chris Coleman says Wales aren’t scared of Belgian superstar Eden Hazard because they’ve got a match-winner of their own in Gareth Bale.
The threat posed by Chelsea ace Hazard – the PFA and Football Writers’ player of the year – has dominated the build up to Friday night’s Euro 2016 qualifier at the Cardiff City Stadium.
But Coleman says in Bale – the world’s most expensive footballer – Wales possess a player who can change a match in an instant.
And the Wales boss says the Real Madrid star, who will win his 50th cap tomorrow night, can keep the nation on course to qualify for Euro 2016 by making the difference against Group B leaders Belgium.
“Hazard is recognised as one of the best players in the world and rightly so but we’ve got one in our camp as well,” said Coleman.
“With his capabilities he can change the game in a second and he thrives on that.
“He knows he’s a great player and he’s got enough about him that if it’s not happening with the ball he’ll do a job without it.
“He wants to do it for his teammates and for the Welsh public.
“It’s his 50th cap and it’s a fitting occasion for that in a top of the table clash,” added Coleman.
“We’ve never had anyone get to 100 caps and that was the challenge I set when I came in to the job because it’s proof that you were there for your country, that you had that passion and desire and that’s’ something to be proud of.
“Baley is a shining light there and so is Chris Gunter, who is close to 60 caps.
“Playing for Wales means something to them and that’s a great example to our younger players.”
The visitors will be without Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini but Coleman is well aware that they possess dangermen all over the pitch having watched Marc Wilmots’ side win 4-3 in France at the weekend.
“To go to France and be 4-1 up is a surprise and the manner in which they did was very impressive but this team has that ability,” he said.
“People talk about Hazard, Benteke, Witsel but nobody mentions the goalkeeper [Thibaut Courtois] who is probably the best in the world so they’re strong in every department.
“We speak a lot about Belgium but they need to think about us as well because we won’t just be inviting them into our back yard and saying ‘get on with it’.
“We’ll make sure they know they’ve been in a game.”
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