Wales suffered a fourth defeat in their Euro Under-21 qualifying campaign, losing 2-0 against group leaders Romania at the Dr Constantin Rădulescu Stadium, Cluj-Napoca.
Manager Rob Page and his team now aim to finish their campaign on a high note when they play Switzerland at Rodney Parade, Newport next Tuesday.
Welsh chances of earning a place at the finals in San Marina and Italy next year had already ended when they flew to Romania. Wales lost 2-0 against Portugal at Nantporth, Bangor and knew after that result they would not be making progress from their group.
🇷🇴 v 🏴 U21 #ROUWAL
The teams are out, what an atmosphere ⚡️ #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/MQxSauk5jK
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 12, 2018
Romania scored two second half goals to secure their home victory. Senior international Dennis Roman, aged 20, scored after 55 minutes, while George Puscas, who plays club football at Palermo in Italy, made it 2-0 with 71 minutes gone.
Bristol City’s Connor Lemonheigh-Evans hit the woodwork, but Wales could not find a way goalkeeper Andrei Radu, who plays for Gerona in Italy.
Cardiff City’s Cameron Coxe missed the match in Romania because of suspension, but is available for the clash with Switzerland in Newport on Tuesday.
Romania: Andrei Radu (gk, capt), Radu Boboc, Florin Stefan, Alexandru Pascanu, Florinel Coman (George Puscas 66), Dennis Man (Olimpiu Morutan 77), Ianis Hagi (Răzvan Oaida 90), Dragos Nedelcu, Alexandru Cicâldău, Adrian Rus, Andrei Ivan. Subs not used: Virgil Ghita, Adrian Petre, Catalin Cabuz, Andrei Ciobanu
Wales: Owen Evans (gk), Aaron Lewis, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ashley Baker (Isaac Christie Davies 90), Brandon Cooper, Regan Poole (capt), Daniel James, Joe Morrell, Mark Harris (Connor Lemonheigh-Evans 62), Nathan Broadhead, Liam Cullen (Alex Babos 62). Subs not used: Robbie Burton, Keston Davies, Luke Pilling (gk),
Referee: Boris Marhefka (Slovakia)
In the final group fixtures leaders Romania and second-placed Portugal are at home.
Liechtenstein, who have lost all nine group matches played and conceded 38 goals, travel to Romania, while the Portuguese entertain Bosnia Herzegovina.
There are nine groups with all teams finishing first qualifying for the finals. Four runners-up with the best record against sides first, third, fourth and fifth in their pools play-off for the remaining two places.
🇷🇴 2-0 🏴 U21 #ROUWAL
Despite a strong Welsh performance, two Romanian goals in the second half ensure the three points go to the group favourites in front of 12,500 people. #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/DIyDXOdAb0
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 12, 2018
Group Eight (all teams play 10)
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Goal difference | Points | |
| Romania | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 21 |
| Portugal | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 20 | 19 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 7 | 15 | 18 |
| Switzerland | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 10 |
| Wales | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 10 |
| Liechtenstein | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 38 | -36 | 0 |
Remaining group fixtures, all on Tuesday, October 16:
Wales v Switzerland at Rodney Parade, Newport (6pm)
Portugal v Bosnia and Herzegovina at Estado do Maritime Funchal (7pm)
Romania v Liechtenstein at Oana Ploiesti, Romania (7pm)
Wales U21 Squad: Luke Pilling (Ashton United, on loan from Tranmere Rovers), Owen Evans (Wigan Athletic), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Regan Poole (Manchester United), Keston Davies (Swansea City – loan Notts County), Cameron Coxe (Cardiff City), Cian Harries (Swansea City), Isaac Christie-Davies (Liverpool), Aaron Lewis (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Newport County, on loan from Cardiff City), Alex Babos (Bristol City), Joe Morrell (Bristol City), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (Bristol City – loan Torquay), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Nathan Broadhead (Everton), Daniel James (Swansea City), Ashley Baker (Sheffield Wednesday), Brandon Cooper (Swansea City), Robbie Burton (Arsenal).