Manager Robert Page is delighted with his Wales young guns.
Their 3-1 win against Switzerland at Rodney Parade ended their Uefa Under-21 championship qualifying campaign on a high note and Page said: “They deserved that.
“We have finished fourth on our group and after our opening game win in Switzerland that is disappointing, but to see the number of players we have in the senior team shows we are doing something right.
“There are 10 players with the first team who could potentially still be with us.
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“It was a big team performance against the Swiss in Newport, really encouraging. Their attitude got them through.”
Robbie Burton, an 18-year-old midfield player, was selected in the starting line-up and had an outstanding debut.
Burton, from Welling in Kent, has been at Arsenal since he was six-years-old, spotted by scouts while playing for Teviot Rangers.
“The player I most aspired to be like was Steven Gerrard,” says Burton. “Aaron Ramsey is an inspiration to me, and being in such close quarters to Aaron and the other first-team players at Arsenal gives all the young players a boost and a target to aim for.
“My grandfather is Welsh, and I was approached by the Wales FA after a tournament at St George’s. We were asked to list which countries we’re eligible to play for, and Wales showed an interest first.
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“I was asked to play for the under-16s – which I did – and enjoyed it immensely. I was then involved with the under-17s and under-19s.
“I was born in England and have been brought up in England, but the fact that I play for Wales has me cheering them. I have committed to Wales wholeheartedly.”
Connor Evans (2) and Joe Morrell led Wales to their win against Switzerland. Morrell (36 mins) and Evans (38) put the Welsh team 2-0 ahead before the Swiss pulled one back with 14 minutes left.
Evans netted his second after 87 minutes two complete a solid victory.
Seven of the starting XI from the reverse fixture against Switzerland featured for Ryan Giggs’ senior squad in Dublin and Page gave first Under-21 starts to Evans, Burton and Keston Davies, while captain Regan Poole is the only player to feature in every match of the campaign.
The game started evenly with both teams keeping possession effectively with Wales’ Mark Harris holding up the ball at the top of the park, allowing the midfielders to push forward and offer support.
The deadlock was broken after 36 minutes when Morrell, playing in his final competitive U-21 match, tore through the left-hand side of the Swiss defence, cut in and drilled a shot into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Wales doubled their lead almost instantly. Rhys Norrington-Davies won possession, Nathan Broadhead found Evans and he fired into the bottom corner.
Wales dominated the early stages of the second half with Morrell and Burton in control of midfield, while full-back Aaron Lewis went close with a long range shot and Harris was judged narrowly offside when he broke free.
Poole, Cian Harries and Davies limited the chances for the Swiss front line, but Owen Evans was forced into action for the first time after 75 minutes. He made a superb diving save from a Joao De Oliveira strike that was destined for the top corner.
Hopes of a clean sheet were dashed minutes later when the defence were unable to deal with the quick feet of Derek Kutesa on the right and his driving cross found Andi Zeqiri who finished clinically.
There was a moment to remember for the Welsh Premier League with 10 minutes left after Page made some changes, introducing Mo Touray, a striker on loan with Barry Town from Newport County.
Wales clinched victory when a quick break involved Alex Babos, Touray, Morrell and Evans, who was clinical with his finish.
Wales: O Evans, A Lewis, R Norrington-Davies, C Harries, R Poole, K Davies, R Burton (I Christie-Davies 93), J Morrell, M Harris (M Touray 80), C Evans, N Broadhead (A Babos 61).
The nine qualifying group winners automatically join hosts Italy at the 2019 finals, the four runners-up with the best records against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their group will go into the play-offs.
They are Austria, Greece, Poland and Portugal who will be drawn into two home-and-away ties to be played between November 12 and November 20.
Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France (holders), Germany, Italy (hosts), Romania, Serbia, Spain.
The finals take place in Italy and San Marino next June.
Group 8
| P | Pts | |
| Romania | 10 | 24 |
| Portugal | 10 | 22 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 10 | 18 |
| Wales | 10 | 13 |
| Switzerland | 10 | 10 |
| Liechtenstein | 10 | 0 |
