Wales boss glad to dodge friendly fire

LONDON: Wales manager Chris Coleman said he had no regrets about sparing his side a friendly international ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff on Friday.
Both sides are level on points at the top of Group B, although Belgium, with only world champions Germany now above them in FIFA’s latest rankings, have the edge on goal difference.
Coleman was among the crowd in Paris on Sunday to see Belgium beat France 4-3 in an entertaining contest.
However, some of the shine of Belgium’s victory was rubbed off by the sight of both Dries Mertens and Jan Vertonghen limping away from heavy French tackles.
But Coleman said Belgium’s “conveyor belt” of talent meant they could cope with injuries to players just a week before a competitive match.
“They can have a friendly because if they lose one or two it is not a problem, as they have a conveyor belt,” Coleman said.
“They don’t have to worry about that. That is the way they prepare because it is best for them, but it is not necessarily what is best for us,” added the Wales manager, who ditched plans for a proposed home friendly with Northern Ireland,” Coleman said.