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SKIPPER RICHARDS IS SPELLING OUT THE NEED FOR A WELSH WIN IN ARMENIA
WalesOnline
Nov 15 2011
Armenia v Wales: Uefa u21 Championship qualifying: Yerevan Republican
Stadium
Captain Ashley Jazz Richards believes tonight'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 (pictured), 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 said: "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 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."
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2011/11/15/skipper-richards-is-spelling-out-the-need-for-a-welsh-win-in-armenia-91466-29776401/
WalesOnline
Nov 15 2011
Armenia v Wales: Uefa u21 Championship qualifying: Yerevan Republican
Stadium
Captain Ashley Jazz Richards believes tonight'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 (pictured), 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 said: "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 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."
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2011/11/15/skipper-richards-is-spelling-out-the-need-for-a-welsh-win-in-armenia-91466-29776401/