Wales Power Into Elite Round Of Uefa Championships

Wales have qualified for the Uefa under-17 championships elite round after wins and Slovenia and Kosovo in the Netherlands.

They finished second in their group behind the hosts, who won 2-1 when the teams played each other.

Coach Richard Williams’ team opened the tournament with a 1-0 win against Slovenia with centre-half Jay Williams scoring the winner into second half injury time. 

When Wales faced the Netherlands in their second game Ryan Viggars scored from a penalty the Welsh led 1-0 at half-time.

But the group top seeds netted twice to take the points.

That left Wales with the task of winning against Kosovo to qualify and they achieved that in style with a 4-1 victory.

Captain Matt Baker, Marcus Dackers and Liam Higgins put Cymru 3-0 ahead by half-time. Kosovo pulled a goal back before Joshua Edwards completed a 4-1 win.

“I’m over the moon for the players,” said Williams. “Their focus on the pitch and conduct off it has been fantastic. The staff have been brilliant as well, it’s been fantastic working with everyone here. 

“The players were flawless against Slovenia and dominated against Kosovo where it was all about the result. It now gives us the chance to play three more matches against high quality opposition and it’s important we make the most of it.”

Wales find out who they will face in the Elite Round when the draw takes place on Tuesday, December 3.

Robson Shipley (Huddersfield Town), Aidan Macnamara (Cardiff City), Jac Clay (Cardiff City) and Jacob Edwards (Swansea City) were all called up to the Cymru squad after Owen Bevan (Bournemouth), Harvey Miles (Swansea City), Ollie Ewing (Leicester City) and Keelan Williams (Liverpool) withdrew because of injuries.

Wales under-17 squad numbers (Uefa): 1 Max Williams (Salford City), 2 Harry Jones (Arsenal), 3 Cian Williams (Wrexham), 4 Matthew Baker (Gillingham), 5 Jay Williams (Fulham), 6 Joe Porton (Bristol City), 7 Taylor Jones (Cardiff City), 8 Joshua Edwards (Swansea City), 9 Marcus Dackers (Brighton & Hove Albion), 10 Charlie Savage (Manchester United), 11 Liam Higgins (Everton), 12 Ben Coley (Cardiff City), 13 Jac Clay (Cardiff City), 14 Aidan Macnamara (Cardiff City), 15 Omar Clarke (Bristol City), 16 Robson Shipley (Huddersfield Town), 17 Ryan Viggars (Sheffield United), 18 Patrick Jones (Huddersfield Town), 19 Caleb Hughes (Cardiff City), 20 Jacob Edwards (Swansea City).

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