Israel U21 v Wales U21

Last updated : 16 August 2006 By Wales Reporter
Brian Flynn's U21's face Israel this afternoon. The team includes two 17 year olds making their debuts. Neal Eardley from Oldham and Darcy Blake from Cardiff City.

Wales:
1. Lewis PRICE (Ipswich Town FC)
2. Neal EARDLEY (Oldham Athletic FC)
3. Joe JACOBSON (Cardiff City FC)
4. Kyle CRITCHELL (Southampton FC)
5. Craig MORGAN (MK Dons FC)
6. Mike WILLIAMS (Wrexham FC)
7. Darcy BLAKE (Cardiff City FC)
8. Andrew CROFTS (Gillingham FC) Capt
9. Craig DAVIES (Hellas Verona – (W Wanderers FC)
10. Dave EDWARDS (Shrewsbury Town FC)
11. Arron DAVIES (Yeovil Town FC)


Subs:
21. Wayne HENNESSEY (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
12. Chris GUNTER (Cardiff City FC)
14. Adam DAVIES (Cambridge United FC)
15. Grant BASEY (Charlton Athletic FC)
16. Lloyd JAMES (Southampton FC)
17. Matthew COLLINS (Fulham FC)
18. Marc WILLIAMS (Wrexham FC)


“We are missing 12 players, some with the seniors and some injured" said Flynn.

“And I have made it clear to the lads who are here that we dare not make a mess of this game now because there's no margin for error if we want to win the group and go into the knockout stage in October.

“We have had to play some younger lads, but we still have four full internationals here. I want to see leadership and responsibility from all of them.”

The four full caps are Andrew Crofts, Arron Davies, Lewis Price and Craig Davies, and Flynn said: “These lads have helped get us to this stage, now I want them to show leadership to the youngsters and take us further.”

Southampton's Gareth Bale and Wrexham's Mark Jones have pulled out in the past week and Flynn admitted: “Those two are big players for us and big losses. They have proved themselves at this level.

“But we are used to scenarios like this, injuries and calls from the senior squad are something we always have to cope with.

“So when one door closes another opens for other players and have faith in the youngsters called in.”

“In such a tight group with only two matches to play, four points is the minimum requirement if we want to stay in the tournament.

“Six would be better, so we must get off to a good start against a very good Israeli side.

“I have seen four videos of them and they are technically very good, a strong team.

“I saw Liverpool play Maccabi Haifa last week, and they were surprised by the quality of Israeli football.

“And I would expect them to be disappointed at losing their home advantage, which will make them even more determined to beat us. I can understand that, they are a proud nation.”