Monday, December 16, 2024

Wales U21 v Czechia U21

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Matty Jones, 44, was appointed Wales Under-21s boss in September 2022 and signed a new two-year deal in August 2024 [Huw Evans agency]

Wales will “focus on themselves” amid the permutations of qualifying for a first Under-21 European Championship finals when they take on Czcehia in Newport on Friday (17.30 BST).

Matty Jones’ side are currently second in their group going into the final round of fixtures.

A point will be enough to secure a play-off place, while victory could see them reach next summer’s tournament in Slovakia if results go their way.

“We know the permutations, but the focus is on us and what we have control of and ultimately our aim is to go and do as well as we have done in the rest of this campaign,” said former Wales, Leeds United and Leicester City midfielder Jones.

“We have grown a real belief that we can go and win games and that doesn’t change.”

He added: “The build up has been really positive – a fantastic week on the grass and we’ve always had a great vibe and energy off it that shows we have built that spirit and togetherness you see in successful sides.”

Wales have never qualified for the Under-21 Euros, coming closest in 2008 when Brian Flynn’s side, including the likes of current senior veterans Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, were knocked out in the play-offs by England.

They missed out on the play-offs in 2010 having only needed a point in their final fixture before losing to Italy, a side they had beaten earlier in the campaign.

Wales are level on 14 points with group leaders Denmark, although trail on head-to-head record after a last-gasp defeat to the Danes last November, their only loss of the campaign.

Third-placed Czcehia are five points behind, but have two games remaining and could yet leapfrog Wales.

Victory for Wales on Friday would see Denmark needing to win in their final game on Tuesday against Iceland to deny Wales a place in the 16-team finals next June.

A Wales win could be enough to earn automatic qualification as one of three best runners-up.

Finishing second would guarantee Wales a place in next month’s two-legged play-offs to determine the final three qualifiers.

Wales drew 1-1 win Czechia in Ceske Budejovice courtesy of a 96th minute equaliser from Cardiff City’s Cian Ashford.

They triumphed 2-1 against Lithuania in their most recent home game in March, before Joel Cotterill’s double saw them win 2-1 in Iceland last month to set-up this week’s climax.

Jones is without defender Joe Lowe (suspended) and Crawley Crawley’s on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Ed Beach, who has played six of the seven group games, through injury.

But he has no fresh injury concerns, something he describes as “refreshing”.

Sheffield United midfielder Owen Hampson is one of two uncapped players in the squad, along with Wolves goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin

Full internationals Rubin Colwill and Charlie Savage are available to Jones, with senior squad captain Ramsey expected among the 2,000-plus crowd at Rodney Parade.

“You play at home and you always feel the onus is on you, and we’re really excited to showcase to the fans our identity and how we’ve developed,” Jones added.

“It’s a great opportunity for us, not just to put names forward for (senior Wales manager) Craig Bellamy, but for us to progress.”

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