Craig Bellamy has called on Wales to improve their poor record in summer friendlies as his team prepares to face Romania in Bucharest. Speaking after Wales’ 1-1 draw with World Cup-bound Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium, the manager said the national side must do better in away warm-up matches if it wants to raise standards and expectations.
Wales are now winless in their last 16 away friendlies, a run that goes back to November 2008. That result came in Brondby, where Bellamy himself scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Denmark. Bellamy pointed to that long run as evidence that Wales have not been able to produce strong results in these types of matches. He said the record is “not great” and expressed frustration that the team has gone so long without an away friendly win.
The match against Romania offers Wales one last chance to finish their summer schedule on a positive note before attention turns to later competitions. Bellamy wants his side to use the game to build confidence and momentum ahead of a tough Nations League A campaign. Wales are due to meet Portugal, Denmark and Norway in that competition, meaning the squad will soon face a higher level of opposition.
Captain Ethan Ampadu said the June camp has been about improving performance levels and correcting recurring mistakes. The Leeds United midfielder said the team’s main focus has been to learn from past errors, perform better and carry that progress into the challenges ahead. He added that the Romania match is important because it can help Wales keep building momentum before the more demanding fixtures later in the year.
Bellamy’s comments underline a broader concern about Wales’ preparation and consistency in international friendlies. While these matches are often used to experiment and assess players, the manager is keen for his team to show more competitiveness and professionalism, especially away from home. He believes that if Wales wants to demand more of itself and earn greater respect from supporters, its record in these games must improve.
The Bucharest fixture is therefore more than just another friendly. It is a chance for Wales to end the June window on a stronger note, restore some confidence and lay the groundwork for a challenging Nations League campaign. For Bellamy and his players, a positive result would offer reassurance that progress is being made, while another disappointing away performance would only add to concerns about Wales’ long-standing struggles in summer matches.
