Wales forced to look ahead after World Cup heartache

ByChris Wathan

BBC Sport Wales

It can be hard to look ahead when there are tears in the eyes.

And yet Wales have no choice after the pain of penalties once again means a major finals will take place without them.

Craig Bellamy's squad did not want to be looking towards tournaments beyond this summer's World Cup.

But having been beaten in Cardiff by Bosnia-Herzegovina on spot-kicks in Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final, it is the only thing they can do.

"We've got so much more to come," said Dan James.

The winger's spectacular strike early in the second half had put Wales on course to face Italy in a play-off final on Tuesday but Edin Dzeko's late header steered the night in a different direction.

"It just wasn't meant to be but we always speak about 'together stronger' and that's what we are," James added.

"It's an absolute pleasure to play for this team. We'll dust ourselves down because we've got so much to look forward to."

First up for Wales, on Tuesday, is the unappetising prospect of a friendly against fellow play-off losers Northern Ireland, who were beaten in their semi-final against Italy in Bergamo on Thursday.

Longer term, there is the potential of a home European Championship in 2028, with Wales co-hosting alongside England, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland.

"That was the talk after the game," said Harry Wilson, who hit the bar early on against Bosnia-Herzegovina but could not deliver a decisive blow before the game went to penalties.

"We were all so desperate to get to America and play at the World Cup. To finish the qualifying so strongly, I felt we were in a really good position going into the semi-final and it just wasn't meant to be.

"But we know we're a really, really good team and we saw that throughout the qualifying campaign.

"Although we're all disappointed, it's about looking forward now. We've got a Nations League A campaign and then on to the next Euros, which we're all desperate to play at home."

On a banner in the Canton End of Cardiff City Stadium, Wilson's standing in this Bellamy side was summarised by his image appearing next to those of Gareth Bale, Gary Speed and John Charles, with a quote from Richard Llewellyn's How Green Was My Valley - 'I saw behind me those who had gone. And before me those who are to come.'

Wales' fans were already looking to the future. So perhaps it was fitting that some of Wales' more difficult moments of the past were recalled following the final whistle amid the noise and pyro smoke of the celebrating Bosnia-Herzegovina fans.

"We've spoken all campaign about how well the team has done with Craig in charge and that's going to continue," said former captain Ashley Williams.

He added: "There were times we were out of qualification after five games [of a group] so we have to recognise how well we've done [even though] we feel this disappointment."

Former striker Robert Earnshaw, who at times played in front of paltry Wales crowds, echoed Williams.

Earnshaw pointed out that 20 years ago, the idea of even reaching play-offs was fanciful. He added he sensed "something special" is being built by Wales' current crop.

Whether such perspective is correct - or digestible - after Wales lost a game at home against a side ranked 36 places below them by Fifa is another matter.

But what is not up for debate is that for all the sense of a missed opportunity, Wales were close to getting it right.

Twice the hosts hit woodwork before falling the wrong side of fine margins when it came to penalties.

Shootout heartbreak is not new to Wales, nor to Leeds United winger James, whose miss was decisive when Wales lost to Poland on penalties in the Euro 2024 play-offs two years ago.

That was perhaps why James spoke to the media after the loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, as he offered public support to Neco Williams and the visibly upset Brennan Johnson.

"I've been there before and you feel all the weight is on you. You feel like you let your country down - but they haven't at all," said James.

"It's not always meant to be but they'll definitely be stronger for it."

Wales will have to be stronger if they are to avoid more nights like this.

"I felt this was the night and this was the week," Earnshaw said.

"My soul is tired but there is more to come. I've loved watching what we've seen, I'm excited for what's next."