Defending Haaland 'is a collective responsibility', says Wales head coach Bellamy

Craig Bellamy insisted it is "a collective responsibility" to stop Erling Haaland when Wales face Norway on Saturday.

Wales and Norway are third and fourth, respectively, in Nations League Group A4, and will both be seeking victory to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.

Bellamy's side have lost three of their four games, but their only win came in the reverse fixture against Norway.

Wales won 2-1 against 10 men, with Norway seeing Torbjorn Heggem receive a straight red card at the start of the second half.

Haaland has scored 22 goals in 20 games in the Nations League, seven more than any other player in the history of the competition. Of the 20 players to have taken at least 50 shots, he also has the best conversion rate (26.5%).

However, the Manchester City striker failed to score against Wales last month, being restricted to just two shots and 23 touches (second fewest of any starter for Norway).

Nevertheless, Bellamy acknowledged keeping Haaland scoreless in back-to-back meetings will not be easy.

"It's easier said than done. You can't have him dictating the game," said Bellamy about stopping Haaland.

"That's true of all players, really, but it's much harder when someone is getting in your face and stopping you from having time on the ball.

"It's a collective responsibility, not just an individual one. You have to consider the distance between Ethan [Ampadu, midfielder] and Haaland.

"You can't open up the middle too much because balls are going to come into his feet. You have to get your distances right, be side-on, and make sure you're aware of his runs.

"He has the ability to take a team on, but he also has the willingness to make those runs.

"It's also important how we use the ball. If we use it well, develop our possession and move up the pitch, he has to work. He has to run and get back."

Wales have never won an away game in Norway in five attempts, drawing two and losing three, with this their first trip there since a 0-0 draw in a May 2004 friendly, in which Bellamy featured.

Norway only lost one of their first nine games against Wales, winning four and drawing four, but they have since lost three on the bounce, conceding more in those defeats (nine) than in their first nine games (eight).