By Harry Corish
Rabbi Matondo believes Wales’ Nations League games against top opposition is the perfect baptism of fire ahead of the heat of the Qatar World Cup.
Wales have lost both their Nations League games so far – away to Poland and at home to the Netherlands.
But despite the results, there have been some promising moments, especially from Wales’ youngsters, many of whom are likely to have key roles comes the World Cup finals in November.
Despite a disappointing start to their Group A Nations League campaign, Wales will be hoping to get their first points on the board when they welcome Belgium to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, a tie which will be shown live on S4C.
Manager Rob Page has been forced to ring the changes during the previous fixtures as Wales’ priorities were rightly on the World Cup play-off fixture against Ukraine.
But for the likes of 21-year-old Matondo – who has come off an impressive season in Belgium with Cercle Brugge – the chance to prove his value against the Belgian national side is one he is determined to seize.
“There are not too many games before Qatar in November and we are all fighting for a place in that squad, so the Belgium game is another chance to perform and put your hands up for selection,”, says Matondo.
“Every game you play for your country you want to play to the best of your ability. Everyone wants to be on that plane, all of us want to show that we are capable against the biggest teams.
“We all want to get some momentum and confidence going forward and producing good performances against top teams can only help.
Rabbi #Matondo in Belgian 2021/22
9 Goals 2 Assists
– 2nd most succ dribbles
– 4th fastest player
– 4th most shots per game
– 5th most key passes per game pic.twitter.com/YuesQ9aopZ— RM11 & RL9 (@NovaLinez) June 11, 2022
“It doesn’t get any easier with Belgium coming up, but these are the games you want to be playing in.
“You are representing your country against the best countries in the world in football, so this is what I have always aimed for and hopefully we can get some results from these big games.”
Matondo made 29 appearances in the Belgian top flight for Brugge this season and delivered a purple patch in the middle of the season in which he scored nine goals in 13 games.
It is that kind of finishing power, allied to his pace and trickery, which could make him a valuable option for Wales in Qatar.
With that in mind, Saturday’s test will be a significant one for the former Manchester City player, who could face former clubmate Kevin De Bruyne.
Belgium were ranked number one on the FIFA World Rankings between 25th October 2018 to 31st March 2022 and have been one of the best teams in the world in the last decade.
But Wales have enjoyed a good run of results against the Red Devils in recent years.
Since 2012, Wales have beaten Belgium twice, drawn three times and lost only twice.
One of the more memorable games was the historic 3-1 win in Lille at the 2016 European Championships quarter finals.
Rabbi Matondo had a top season on loan with Cercle Brugge. He’s back at FC Schalke who are keen to sell him.
Agents certainly at work here.
21-year-old, right footed winger. Scored 10 goals and has two assists for Cercle. Earned 10 caps for Wales so far.
Worth a punt? https://t.co/fMAHLoIuUX pic.twitter.com/CuGcELG1Vv
— Craig (@CraigCelt) June 8, 2022
Wales have earned a win and a draw in their last two home games against the Belgians and will be looking to keep up their strong home record, despite their first loss in 18 home games in the 2-1 defeat to the Dutch on Wednesday night.
“We have done well in recent years against them (Belgium) and hopefully that continues,” says former Cardiff City youth star Matondo, who has been on loan in Belgium from German club FC Schalke.
“It is a learning experience. We are playing against top teams, and we have been able to match the teams but so far have fallen just short, so we are looking to push on from this, take our learnings and take that into our next game.
“It’s another tough game. They have got some incredible players and they play some really good football. They lost against the Netherlands and they will be up for it on Saturday but we will give our everything.
“The atmosphere is always incredible. The fans get behind us, even during the difficult times. You can’t fault the fans, they come in numbers and they make so much noise for us.
“We love it and we love our fans, playing in front of them is so special. We hope they can come on Saturday and help us, be that twelfth man like they always are when we need them.”
Back at the Vale this afternoon which really isn’t the best location if you’re a chronic hayfever sufferer like myself. Had to explain to Page that, no, I wasn’t crying mid interview 🤧🐝💐
Cymru v Gwlad Belg yn fyw ar @S4C nos yfory 🏴🇧🇪 #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/xVg0bsXGcV
— Sioned Dafydd (@SionedDafydd) June 10, 2022
Wales conceded late on against both the Poles and the Dutch. Karol Swiderski scored in the 85th minute for Poland to steal a 2-1 win in Wroclaw and Wout Weghorst scored a 94th minute winner for the Netherlands.
Matondo admits: “It’s disappointing to concede the two late goals. I thought we played really well in both games, but that is just football and we need to learn quickly.
“This is what happens when you are up against the top teams and we have to try and learn from that.”
S4C – Saturday, 7.15pm: Sgorio Rhyngwladol – Wales v Belgium.
Live coverage of the match between Wales and Belgium in the UEFA Nations League from the Cardiff City Stadium.