Matty Jones calls on Red Wall for Cymru U21 decider

Cymru U21 head coach Matty Jones believes the support of the Red Wall can help his team make history next month as they complete their UEFA U21 EURO qualifying campaign against Czechia at Rodney Parade on Friday, 11 October (5.30pm).

Following the impressive victory away to Iceland on Tuesday night, Cymru are now level on points with Group I leaders Denmark ahead of the final round of fixtures. As it stands, Cymru will automatically qualify for the finals in Slovakia as one of the three best group runners-up, but retaining this position could depend on results elsewhere. However, if they can win the group outright, they will qualify automatically without the risk of having to compete in the play-offs.

“We need the support from everyone,” said Jones following the crucial 2-1 win over Iceland. “I think we’ve done incredibly well over the course of the campaign in terms of smashing records with attendances. Hopefully now this will create some excitement around our group, people will be aware of the great things that these boys are doing and that support will bring us even more success. We are set up for a special finish to what has already been a wonderful campaign.”

Joel Cotterill was the two-goal hero for Cymru against Iceland and he appeared to thrive in his attacking role and his place in the overall game plan. “A lot of my management from the sideline was about composing Cots because of the chances that he missed earlier,” Jones added. “He could have scored four goals for us today, but we always knew that opportunities would come and his ability and quality in front of goal is exceptional. He was disappointed with himself that he didn’t capitalise earlier, but the goals he did score just prove his technical ability.”

Czechia suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Denmark on Tuesday evening to leave them six points behind the top two positions with two games remaining, while Iceland currently sit five points behind and also have two games left to play. Cymru and Czechia shared the points in a 1-1 draw when the two sides met in České Budějovice last October as Cian Ashford came off the bench in injury-time with his team a goal behind. Ashford then equalised with the last kick of the match to claim what could now prove to be an absolutely vital point.

Reflecting on the win over Iceland, Jones was keen to praise the application of his players and how they adapted to the challenges they faced. “We had to overcome a very difficult and resolute opposition,” he explained. “We were faced with horrendous conditions in terms of the swirling wind which impacted our game plan. Things started running away from us so there were slight adjustments, and at half time we spoke to the players about how we eradicate some things from our game. Not only am I proud of them, but hopefully everyone else at home are proud of these lads.

“Within our tactical solutions we were able to put more pressure higher up the pitch and stop things at source across the back line. We were fully confident in the players who have made things look quite easy and we know they weren’t because it was horrible at times. It was a real messy game. It wasn’t the game that we wanted to play, we were nowhere near as attractive as we can be, but we’ve come away from home and we’ve taken away three points and that’s the biggest thing. That’s the thing that makes me proud.

“These boys are getting experiences away from their their parent clubs being out on loan, not just playing senior football, but scoring goals. Every one of our starters against Iceland has been having that experience in league football and that’s been the difference for us. We’re managing senior players now, not boys. We’re managing men.”