Robert Page And His Wales Under-21 Team Face Swiss Test

Wales open their Uefa under-21 Championship campaign in Switzerland this evening (Friday).

Manager Robert Page and his players take on the Swiss at the Tissot Arena, Biel (6pm CET) before moving on to take on Portugal away in Chaves next Tuesday.

Switzerland have played one group fixture, beating Bosnia 1-0, and Page knows this is a big test for his team.

“We have a tough test first up but from the players’ point of view, they will want to play against two of the best teams in the group,” he said.

“We want to give a good account of ourselves and I feel we have enough in the squad to make teams stand up and worry about us. We are really looking forward to it.”

Wales were unbeaten during the Toulon under-21 tournament during June, although they missed out on qualifying for the semi-finals.

They drew 0-0 against hosts France, won 1-0 against Bahrain thanks to a Daniel James penalty and then drew 2-2 against Ivory Coast. George Thomas scored both Welsh goals.

“We had a great tournament in Toulon and since then I’ve been looking forward to getting the squad back together,” said Page.

“To work with the players day in, day out for nearly two weeks was great and it was a positive summer for us.

“When you play international football, there are no easy games, but I saw a progression during our time in Toulon as the games went on.

“We can take that confidence and momentum into Friday’s game against Switzerland.”

Page made two changes to his squad as Harry Wilson and Aron Davies withdrew through injury. Swansea City pair Cian Harries and Liam Cullen have replaced them.

Romania and Liechtenstein are the other teams in the group alongside Wales, Switzerland and Portugal.

Wales, possible: Pilling, Coxe, Rodon (capt), Abbruzzese, Harries, Poole, J Evans, James, Broadhead, G Thomas, M Harris.

Wales squad:

Goalkeepers: Luke Pilling (Tranmere Rovers), Owen Evans (Wigan Athletic).

Defenders: Cola Dasilva (Chelsea), Cameron Coxe (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (Brentford), Regan Poole (Manchester United – loan Northampton Town), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Rhys Abbruzzese (Cardiff City), Joe Rodon (Swansea City).

Midfield: Matthew Smith (Manchester City), Nathan Broadhead (Everton), Jack Evans (Swansea City), David Brooks (Sheffield United), Mark Harris (Cardiff City).

Strikers: Tyler Roberts (West Bromwich Albion – loan Walsall), George Thomas (Leicester City), Cian Harries (Swansea City), Daniel James (Swansea City – loan Shrewsbury Town).

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