Wales manager Craig Bellamy says his team would be a huge asset to the World Cup as they prepare for a crucial play-off semi-final against Bosnia.

CRAIG Bellamy believes Wales would be a massive asset to the World Cup if they can navigate their play-off path to the tournament in North America.

The manager’s side host Bosnia and Herzegovina in a play-off semi-final on Thursday. Victory would set up a home final against either Italy or Northern Ireland next Tuesday.

“I honestly feel we should be at this tournament,” said the former Liverpool striker. “Now we’re going to have to work hard to get there, but I honestly believe we’ll be a massive asset to this World Cup.”

He added that the players, fans and coaching team would all add to the spectacle.

Wales have qualified for the last three major tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They are ranked 35th in the world, 36 places above Bosnia.

The visitors’ build-up has been overshadowed by a club-versus-country row. Bosnia boss Sergej Barbarez had claimed Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic was dropped by his Welsh club manager Steve Cooper to aid Wales.

Tahirovic and Brondby have since apologised to Cooper, with the club’s sporting director clarifying it was a club decision. Barbarez, however, stood by his initial comments at a pre-match press conference.

“I had the idea to protect the player,” Barbarez said. “That’s where all this talking was from.”

Bosnia narrowly missed automatic qualification, conceding a late equaliser to Austria in November.

 The Sun Malaysia