ACADEMY STARS FOR WALES U-19S

Club News

City youngsters help Wales U-19s overturn six goal deficit

FIVE of City’s thriving Academy were involved for Wales’ Under-19s today as Geraint Williams’ side overturned a six goal deficit to qualify for the elite qualification round for next summer’s Under-19 Championships.

Bradley Wickham, Josh Yorwerth, Tommy O’Sullivan, Abdi Noor and Under-19s captain Declan John were all named in the starting-11 in Tbilisi with O’Sullivan, Noor and John all on the scoresheet as the young Wales side grabbed the six goals required to claim runners-up spot in Group 11.

Wales had it all to do following their opening fixture defeat to hosts and eventual group winners Georgia on Wednesday, 13th November where they lost 5-1, quickly bouncing back on Friday to claim a vital 0-0 draw with the Netherlands.

It left Wales with a slim chance of qualifying with one game left against the groups bottom side Moldova, requiring all three points and six goals following Holland’s final game 2-1 defeat to Georgia.

Three goals to the good at half-time against Moldova, including first half strikes from Abdi Noor and Tommy O’Sullivan put Wales in control of the tie with Declan John making it 5-0 with just 20 minutes to go. Chelsea’s Chike Kandi scored the all-important sixth just a minute from time to spark jubilant Welsh celebrations.

The win made sure Wales qualified as one of thirteen group runners-up, joining thirteen group winners and a best third placed runner-up in the elite second round of qualification for next summer’s Championships in Hungary.