Wales fought out a 1-1 draw against Scotland in their opening Victory Shield under-16 clash at St Brendan’s Park in the Republic of Ireland.
Matthew Baker scored for Wales, who also missed a penalty when a spot-kick crashed against the bar. Jaden Ferguson netted for the Scots.
Wales, playing in red, selected Wrexham’s Max Williams in goal, while Cardiff City’s Taylor Jones started.
Joshua Edwards (Swansea) and Siyabonga Ligendza (Cardiff) went on from the bench.
The next match for the Welsh boys is against Republic of Ireland at Mounthawk Park, County Kerry on Wednesday (1pm).
Their final game is against Northern Ireland, also at Mounthawk Park, on Friday.
The Welsh squad includes two players from north Wales who have progressed from the Welsh Premier League Academy to the Victory Shield.
Cian Williams and Patrick Jones have both emerged through the national academy structure.
Williams, was a centre-back at Bangor City when he impressed in the North Wales squad during the 2017 Cymru Cup, and has now joined Wrexham.
He was monitored by our national Talent ID scouts but only after he moved to Wrexham and switched to left back did he finally get the Cymru call.
Striker Jones was at Bala Town when he played in the same Cymru Cup tournament, which annually sees the best 14-year-olds from across Wales complete for a place in the youngest national squad. Jones is also now with Wrexham.
National Talent ID Manager Gus Williams said: “We have monitored both boys since we saw them at the Cymru Cup and it’s great for them to get this opportunity.
“It shows that there is a pathway from the Welsh Premier League academies to international football and will hopefully inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”
Wales: Max Williams (Wrexham), Keelan Williams (Liverpool), Zac Williams (Crewe Alexandra), Taylor Jones (Cardiff City), Bryce Jones (Leeds United), Matthew Baker (Gillingham), James Sweet-Lannin (Arsenal), Oliver Ewing (Fulham), Ryan Viggars (Sheffield United), Jadan Raymond (Crystal Palace), Levent Gundogan (Blackburn Rovers). Subs used: Joshua Edwards (Swansea City), Siyabonga Ligendza (Cardiff City).
Scotland: Tom Ritchie, Lyall Booth, Leon King, Liam Morrison (capt), Michael Craig, Cole McKinnon, Jaden Ferguson, Adam Brooks, Matthew Craig, Calvin Ramsey, Kevin Taylor. Subs: Jay Hogarth, Matthew Connelly, Adam Devine, Liam Smith, Chris Mochrie, Mackenzie Lamb, Jayden Fairley, Josh Adam, Lucas Reed.
Full Wales under-16 squad: Max Williams (Wrexham), Luca Smith (Bristol City), Keelan Williams (Liverpool), Jay Williams (Newport County), Bryce Jones (Leeds United), Matthew Baker (Gillingham), Patrick Jones (Wrexham), Harry Jones (Arsenal), Oliver Ewing (Fulham), James Sweet-Lannin (Arsenal), Taylor Jones (Cardiff City), Joshua Edwards (Swansea City), Jadan Raymond (Crystal Palace), Zac Williams (Crewe Alexandra), George Walters (Manchester United), Cian Williams (Wrexham), Siyabonga Ligedenza (Cardiff City), Levent Gundogan (Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Viggars (Sheffield United), Aaron Hillier (Swansea City).
The Republic of Ireland Under-16s suffered defeat in their opening match of the Victory Shield as Northern Ireland scored two late goals to seal a 3-1 win in Kerry.
All the goals came after the break as Ross McCausland fired the away side ahead before Oliver O’Neill responded a minute later. Ciaran McGuckin scored five minutes from time before Sean Stewart’s stoppage-time strike for Northern Ireland.
“We have to take where we didn’t do well in the game into training ahead of the game against Wales on Wednesday,” said Republic of Ireland coach Paul Osam.
Republic of Ireland: Josh Keely (GK), Gavin O’Brien (C), Ronan Kilkenny (Colin Conroy 70), Oisin Hand, CJ Egan-Reilly, Ben McCormack, Louie Barry, Adam Wells, Oliver O’Neill (Sinclair Armstrong 70), Oran Crowe (Kallin Barlow 52), Lee Harkin (Billy Vance 52).
Northern Ireland: Connor Byrne (GK), Sean Stewart, Aaron Donnelly, Lewis McKinnon, Orrin McLaughlin, Conor Bradley (C), Charlie Allen, Dale Taylor (Ciaran McGuckin 70), Euen Williams (Caolan McBride 62), Ross McCausland, Vicky Saldanmo (Sean McAllister 70).
Referee: Derek O’Shea.
2018 Victory Shield results and fixtures:
Scotland 1, Wales 1 (at St. Brendan’s Park)
Republic of Ireland 1, Northern Ireland 3 (at Mounthawk Park)
Wednesday: Republic of Ireland v Wales (at Mounthawk Park, 1pm)
Wednesday: Northern Ireland v Scotland (at Mounthawk Park, 6pm)
Friday: Scotland v Republic of Ireland (at Tralee Dynamos, 1pm)
Friday: Wales v Northern Ireland (at Mounthawk Park, 1pm)
