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RICHARDS SEES ARMENIA GAME AS VITAL
by Andrew Gwilym
The Press Association
November 14, 2011 Monday 2:35 PM BST
Captain Jazz Richards believes tomorrow's European Championship
qualifier in Armenia is just the first of a series of must-win matches
for Wales Under-21s.
Brian Flynn's side find themselves lying fourth of the five teams
in Group Three having lost at home to leaders Czech Republic last
time out, but are only four points off top spot, and a victory at the
Hanrapetakan Stadium would put Wales right back in contention before
qualification takes a break during the winter.
But Swansea defender Richards, 20, who recently signed a new contract
at the Liberty Stadium, believes his side will need to win all four
of their remaining games if they are to have a realistic chance of
securing a place at the finals in Israel in 2013.
He told Press Association Sport: "This is a vital game for us and
we know that every game from here on in is a must win if we are
to qualify.
"But morale in the squad is brilliant and the boys are really looking
forward to the challenge.
"We know that if we can get the win on Tuesday that will give us
plenty of confidence to take into the rest of the campaign."
But winning in Yerevan will be no mean feat, with Armenia also well
in the qualification mix as they stand a point and one place above
Wales in the table.
The eastern Europeans have also claimed some notable results to date,
securing a draw away from home against the Czechs and hammering
Montenegro 4-1.
And Richards is under no illusions as to how difficult the task ahead
will be for the visitors.
"We are expecting them to be a good side," he said.
"They have done well, they got a draw against the Czech Republic on
the road and they were very unlucky to lose their home game against
them as well.
"We know this is going to be a tough match and there is no way that
we will be underestimating them.
"Having said that we have been working hard in training and we are
only focusing on ourselves, we know that if we produce the type of
performance we are capable of then we should win."
by Andrew Gwilym
The Press Association
November 14, 2011 Monday 2:35 PM BST
Captain Jazz Richards believes tomorrow's European Championship
qualifier in Armenia is just the first of a series of must-win matches
for Wales Under-21s.
Brian Flynn's side find themselves lying fourth of the five teams
in Group Three having lost at home to leaders Czech Republic last
time out, but are only four points off top spot, and a victory at the
Hanrapetakan Stadium would put Wales right back in contention before
qualification takes a break during the winter.
But Swansea defender Richards, 20, who recently signed a new contract
at the Liberty Stadium, believes his side will need to win all four
of their remaining games if they are to have a realistic chance of
securing a place at the finals in Israel in 2013.
He told Press Association Sport: "This is a vital game for us and
we know that every game from here on in is a must win if we are
to qualify.
"But morale in the squad is brilliant and the boys are really looking
forward to the challenge.
"We know that if we can get the win on Tuesday that will give us
plenty of confidence to take into the rest of the campaign."
But winning in Yerevan will be no mean feat, with Armenia also well
in the qualification mix as they stand a point and one place above
Wales in the table.
The eastern Europeans have also claimed some notable results to date,
securing a draw away from home against the Czechs and hammering
Montenegro 4-1.
And Richards is under no illusions as to how difficult the task ahead
will be for the visitors.
"We are expecting them to be a good side," he said.
"They have done well, they got a draw against the Czech Republic on
the road and they were very unlucky to lose their home game against
them as well.
"We know this is going to be a tough match and there is no way that
we will be underestimating them.
"Having said that we have been working hard in training and we are
only focusing on ourselves, we know that if we produce the type of
performance we are capable of then we should win."