It’s boom or bust for Wales in the 2019 Euro Under-21 championships. They needs wins and points to keep alive slim hopes of making progress.
Bosnia and Herzegovina lead the way in group eight, ahead of Romania, Portugal and Wales.
Manager Robert Page and his Welsh team have three group fixtures left and can’t afford to lose any of them.
They are at home against Portugal at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor on Tuesday evening (6pm), while they also face Romania away and Switzerland at home next month.
“We’ve given ourselves a great opportunity to up our game a little and face an extremely good Portugal team,” says Page.
“There is enough quality in the squad to give them a good game.”
The group winners qualify automatically for next summer’s finals in Italy and San Marino, while the four best runners-up among the nine groups advance to the play-offs.
George Thomas scored both goals for Wales in their 2-1 win against Liechtenstein, netting both goals inside the first 20 minutes.
Lukas Graber pulled one back for the visitors after 77 minutes and they also hit the bar after 93 minutes, but the Welsh players held on to their lead and earned the win they needed.
Wales will be without striker Mark Harris against Portugal after he suffered concussion during the win against Liechtenstein.
The pace of wingers Rabbi Matondo and Dan James will be a key weapon for Wales against Portugal, while the home team passed the ball fluently.
Wales, possible: L Pilling, C Coxe, R Norrington-Davies, A Baker, R Poole, C Harries, D James, J Morrell, N Broadhead, G Thomas, R Matondo.
Wales under-21 squad: Luke Pilling (Ashton United, on loan from Tranmere Rovers), Owen Evans (Wigan Athletic), Cameron Coxe (Cardiff City), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Regan Poole (Manchester United), Cian Harries (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Swansea City), Isaac Christie Davies (Liverpool FC), Aaron Lewis (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Newport County, On loan from Cardiff City), Alexander Babos (Derby County), Joe Morrell (Bristol City), George Thomas (Scunthorpe United. On loan from Leicester City), Rabbi Matondo (Manchester City), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Nathan Broadhead (Everton), Daniel James (Swansea City), Ashley Baker (Sheffield Wednesday).
Remaining fixtures:
Tuesday, September 11: Romania v Bosnia, Switzerland v Liechtenstein, Wales v Portugal.
Thursday, October 11: Liechtenstein v Portugal.
Friday, October 12: Romania v Wales.
Tuesday, October 16: Wales v Switzerland, Portugal v Bosnia, Romania v Liechtenstein.
Group 8
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | For | Against | Goal difference | Points | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 17 | 18 |
| Romania | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 15 |
| Portugal | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 13 |
| Wales | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 10 |
| Switzerland | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 7 |
| Liechtenstein | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 26 | -24 | 0 |
