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Cymru U20 home internationals

Written by robbgenghis

With the home internationals recently played here’s a quick recap of how the U20 boys did

No sign of England taking part here so it’s Cymru, Ireland, N. Ireland & Scotland in a 4-team group tournament with the top two contesting the finals.

Ireland Away
First up for the Welsh youngsters it was Ireland away. Broxi opted for a 5-3-2 formation with counter attack. This looked like a good option to me considering the stats but can’t have helped when Boggis was sent off meaning Wales were giving away even more possession

That possession meant more chances for Ireland and, even against an impressive Welsh defence the Irish won the game by the only goal scored.
Elsewhere, N.Ireland managed a 3-0 win over the Scots to top the group

Scotland at home (Filmore East, Dyfed)
With both teams winless in the first match something had to give. Broxi went in to the match keen to ‘get one over on his birth nation’. More counter attacking here but with a 4-4-2 formation (clearly Broxi didn’t rate the Scots attack a highly as the Irish). With the Scots choosing the same tactic and big defensive ratings all round this was always likely to be a low scoring game. In the end a single goal settled it again but this time through Welsh striker Ifan
Rep. Of Ireland continued to march on at the top with 2-0 win over N. Ireland

N. Ireland away
Another 4-4-2 CA here so Wales must be getting used to the tactic. The counter attacking looked to be doing the trick quite nicely with 2 first half goals from speedy winger Franklyn. Possibly a groan here from Broxi as 3 points did look on the cards but it couldn’t have helped with injuries to both strikers. A late goal from N. Ireland wrapped up a 2-2 draw.
A draw in the other fixture saw Ireland stay top. Wales were now equal on points with N. Ireland for 2nd place at the halfway stage.

N.Ireland at home (Gloomy future FC Arena, Mid Glamorgan)
Well would you believe it? After all that counter attacking Broxi goes on the offensive with a 3-5-2 attack on wings approach. Confident of the home advantage perhaps or just a bit more bite to get through the tough N. Ireland defence? Both managers have their plan slightly spoiled just before half time though as N. Ireland lose a defender to injury while the Welsh are down to 10 with a midfielder sent off. Doesn’t seem to affect possession or that man Franklyn who bags the only goal of the game and his 3rd of the tournament.

A 3-0 win for Ireland keeps them top and Scotland winless and with very little chance of getting to the final.

Scotland away
Back to the 4-4-2 counter attack strategy that grabbed a narrow victory in the reverse fixture so presumably this was going to be another low scoring game? Um, no, bit of a goalfest actually. Three goals from Cymru saw them take a 3-1 lead into the last half hour. Then we saw a number of tactical changes by Broxi and 2 late goal by the Scots to force a 3-3 draw.
Another comfortable win for Rep. Of Ireland saw them stay top with Wales poised in 2nd to make the final.

Ireland at home (Castell Caerdydd, Clwyd)
A tough fixture to finish for Wales with a win needed to make the final (or the Scot to beat N.Ireland)
A complete change of tactic here with Wales ‘all in’ with an attacking 2-5-3 formation. Irelan’s defensive looking 5-3-2 meant the welsh just shaded possession. A goal for Ireland midway through the 1st half led to a raft of subs by both sides and then 2 late goals by Cymru to seal the points. On to the final then!

Ireland at home (Broxis den)
No sure how the coach swung that - home advantage at his own gaff?
Despite playing each other the week before both teams changing tactics. Ireland preferring 4-5-1 while the Welsh lined up with a 3-5-2 wing attacking formation.
Ireland made their possession count with a 1st half goal. Despite some subs and a change to 4-5-1 Wales were unable to equalise and Ireland won the tournament

Congrats to the Irish and commiserations to Broxi and his Welsh side which came so close to winning the tournament.