Celebration time for Wales under-19s. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/ Propaganda)

Bowen’s Blast Seals Uefa Elite Place For Wales

Wales have qualified play against Europe’s elite in the Uefa Under-19 Championships.

Their 2-0 win against San Marino at Nantporth, Bangor sent manager Paul Bodin’s team through to the Elite round of the competition.

Wales finished runners-up to Scotland, who drew 2-2 against Sweden in their group match.

Lewis Collins (52 mins) and Sam Bowen (83) scored for Wales in a one-sided contest. San Marino did not manage a shot on target or win a corner in the match.

The Welsh boys had 17 shots on the opposition goal and earned nine corners.

Collins broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half when he finished from a Daniel Griffiths pass.

Bowen, the son of former Wales and Cardiff City playmaker Jason, added the second with 83 minutes gone following a corner. 

It was Bowen who had a shot blocked and that led to the corner. He made no mistake after taking possession.

The teams played in wet and windy conditions with rain falling steadily, but there was no doubt Wales deserved their win.

Elite round matches will be played during December. 

In all, 52 competed in 13 mini-tournaments. Holders Portugal and fellow top seeds Germany had byes to the elite round and hosts Armenia are already in July’s finals.

Qualifiers from each group:

Group 1: Israel, Azerbaijan

Group 2: Italy, Denmark

Group 3: Czech Republic

Could still go through: Croatia, FYR Macedonia

Group 4: Scotland, Wales

Group 5: Turkey, England

Group 6: France, Belgium

Group 7: Hungary, Slovenia

Group 8: Ukraine, Norway

Group 9: Serbia, Poland

Group 10: Republic of Ireland, Netherlands

Group 11: Russia, Cyprus

Group 12: Spain, Switzerland

Group 13: Greece, Romania

San Marino: De Angelis (gk), De Biagi (Ciacci 81), Franciosi, Moretti, Sartini, Liverani, Tomassini, Pancotti, Valentini, capt (Mariotti 52), Santi, Dolcini.

Wales: Adam Przybek (gk), Ben Cabango (Neco Williams 81), Brandon Cooper (capt), Daniel Griffiths (Christian Norton 81), Brennan Johnson (Dylan Levitt 81), Sam Bowen, Ryan Stirk, Jack Vale (Luke Jephcott 81), Ryan Astley, Jay Foulston, Lewis Collins (Joe Adams 62). Subs not used: George Ratcliffe (capt), Morgan Boyle, Ryan Reynolds, Lewis Clutton.

Referee: Dumitri Muntean (Moldova)

Full Wales squad: Adam Pryzbek (West Bromwich Albion), George Ratcliffe (Cardiff City), Ryan Reynolds (Cardiff City), Jay Foulston (Newport County), Lewis Collins (Newport County), Morgan Boyes (Liverpool), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Ryan Astley (Everton), Ben Cabango (The New Saints, on loan from Swansea City), Brandon Cooper (Swansea City), Joe Adams (Bury), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Luke Jephcott (Plymouth Argyle), Christian Norton (Southampton), Isaak Davies (Cardiff City), Jack Vale (Blackburn Rovers), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Ryan Stirk (Birmingham City), Sam Bowen (Cardiff City), Dan Griffiths (Cardiff City).

Group 4

Played Won Draws Lost For Against Goal difference Points
Scotland 3 2 1 0 9 3 6 7
Wales 3 2 0 1 5 3 2 6
Sweden 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
San Marino 3 0 0 3 1 9 -8 0

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