Wales to honour Speed at friendly

Wales are set for an emotionally charged friendly when they take the field against Costa Rica for the first time since the death of manager Gary Speed.

British football was stunned by the death of the respected Speed, found hanged at his home in November.

Wednesday’s fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium – which the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have designated the Gary Speed Memorial Match – is set to be the first occasion when Welsh players and fans alike can pay their respects to Speed.

Liverpool’s Craig Bellamy, a close friend of Speed, will captain Wales for the first time since the 67-cap striker led his country in the Euro 2012 qualifying defeat in Montenegro in September 2010.

“For obvious reasons, Craig will lead the side tomorrow (Wednesday) night,” Wales assistant coach Osian Roberts said on Tuesday.

“He knew Gary better than anybody, he is a close friend of the Speed family and it seems only right that he should lead Wales on the night.”

Wednesday’s match could be 32-year-old Bellamy’s last for Wales as he is known to be pondering his international future.

That decision may be influenced by the resignation of Speed’s assistant, Raymond Verheijen, on Friday.

The Dutchman was a popular figure with the likes of Bellamy and fellow senior Wales players such as Gareth Bale.

Verheijen urged the FAW not to disturb Speed’s coaching set-up and let them carry on the work that had started under the former midfielder.

But instead Welsh football chiefs appointed former Fulham and Coventry City coach Chris Coleman – who played for Wales alongside Speed – as their new manager.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey captained Wales to four wins from their last five games prior to Speed’s death but the 21-year-old midfielder will miss the Costa Rica clash because of an ankle injury.

Wales have not qualified for the finals of a major international tournament since the 1958 World Cup and Wednesday’s match is designed to aid their bid to feature in the 2014 edition in Brazil.

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto has selected 14 overseas players among his 19-man squad.

The match will form part of Costa Rica’s preparations for upcoming CONCACAF and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

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