Bellamy's Hagi pain as Wales boss eyes improvement

At just 14 years of age, Craig Bellamy was left heartbroken as Romania ended Wales' dreams of reaching the 1994 World Cup.

Little more than three decades on - after his side once again failed to earn themselves a trip across the Atlantic - the former striker has the chance to exact a small amount of revenge on the man who tormented his beloved nation.

Gheorghe Hagi - who scored three of Romania's seven goals against Wales across two matches in 1994 World Cup qualifying - will take charge of the Tricolorii on home soil for the first time in his second stint as manager when his side host Wales in Bucharest on Saturday (18:45 BST).

"Hagi has had a huge impression on our country," said Wales head coach Bellamy.

"I first watched him in about 1992-93, Wales were in the group. They beat us 5-1 here [in Bucharest], so I was watching it back at home.

"An incredible talent, amazing player. And then they come to Cardiff, he scored quite a lucky goal in that game, we had the most incredible goalkeeper [Neville Southall] but it wasn't his best moment at that time.

"And then they broke our hearts - watching them go to the World Cup and our country not."

Before his side's 1-1 draw with World Cup-bound Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium, Bellamy spoke of his desire to improve Wales' poor summer record.

And three days on from facing the Black Stars, he raised concerns over his country's miserable record in away friendlies.

The Red Dragons are winless in their past 16 away friendly fixtures - a run that stretches back to November 2008, when Bellamy himself scored the only goal of the contest to earn Wales a 1-0 victory over Denmark in Brondby.

"Our friendlies are not great when you look at the records," said the Wales boss.

"I think the last time we won away was 2008. It's like, 'come on'.

"If we want to create expectations, to put demands on ourselves and the public as well, we have to have a better record than what we have."

The contest in Bucharest represents an opportunity to end the summer schedule on a high and send Wales into their Nations League A campaign later this year in positive spirits.

Bellamy's side will face Portugal, Denmark and Norway in that campaign, and captain Ethan Ampadu says Wales' meeting with Romania provides one final chance to build towards those eye-catching fixtures.

"That's what our focus has been in this June camp; to raise our levels, to put in better performances, to learn from mistakes that we've learned from in the past and to put them right," said the Leeds United midfielder.

"For what's to come to make sure we prepare to keep building momentum for that."

Dylan Lawlor was withdrawn midway through the second half of Tuesday's contest with Ghana and the Cardiff City centre-back has not travelled to Bucharest because of a knee injury.

"It's just not possible for him, with the turnaround in such quick succession, to be available for us," explained Bellamy.

The Wales boss confirmed left-back Ben Davies and right-back Connor Roberts are both available to feature on Saturday.

Davies has not played for Wales or Tottenham Hotspur since sustaining an ankle injury in January, while Burnley's Roberts did not make a single appearance for club or country during the 2025-26 season after sustaining an Achilles injury in pre-season.