Craig Bellamy era begins with a Nations League draw as 10-player Turkey hold on

Wales began the Craig Bellamy era with a 0-0 Nations League draw against 10-player Turkey in Cardiff.

New boss Bellamy did not get the victory he would have craved at kick-off but it was a positive performance from Wales against opponents who reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 this summer.

Wales’ task was made slightly easier by the 62nd-minute dismissal of Baris Alper Yilmaz, banished for treading on Neco Williams’ foot after unnecessarily confronting Joe Rodon before the break to merit a first yellow card.

But still a Wales winner would not come on a night when Sorba Thomas saw his effort wiped out for offside and Aaron Ramsey and Joe Rodon passed up clear-cut opportunities.

Bellamy cut a calm figure on the touchline after selecting nine of the players who started Wales’ last competitive fixture – the Euro 2024 play-off final defeat to Poland in March.

Johnson’s clever backheel released Connor Roberts but Ramsey mistimed his header and the ball flew over off his shoulder. Ramsey also miscued Thomas’ corner whipped in to the near post and Ethan Ampadu was off target with a powerful 25-yard strike.

The best chance arguably fell to Rodon, lurking at the far post from Wales’ short-corner routine but unable to keep his half-volley down.

Wales did have the ball in the net after 37 minutes as Thomas raced onto Ramsey’s ball over the top. Thomas kept his composure to lift the ball over Mert Gunok in the Turkey goal, but Welsh celebrations were cut short by an assistant referee’s flag and a VAR check delivered further bad news.

Turkey had barely threatened in the first half but Yilmaz headed over soon after the restart, and Wales were almost punished playing out from the back with desperate defending saving the day.