Wales moved to within one point of a U21 European Championship playoff spot, after a monumental 2-1 win away to Iceland.
After a goalless first half, Joel Cotterill struck twice in the second half to put Wales in a comfortable position. Despite conceding in the third minute of stoppage time, Cymru held on to record an important win.
The victory means Wales only need a point in their final qualifier to secure at least a spot in the playoffs. They could still go through automatically but will require results elsewhere to go their way.
Matty Jones elected to name a team featuring a number of players who’ve had senior team experience. Fin Stevens, Joe Low, and Charlie Savage were all selected to start, while Cheltenham Town’s Joel Colwill was also given the nod.
In less-than-ideal conditions in Reykjavik, Wales made a strong start and almost found themselves ahead within ten minutes. Josh Thomas got a cross into the box after a strong run down the right, but Joel Cotterill couldn’t convert from a few yards out, with the ball instead trickling agonizingly past the post.
Much of the half was sloppy, with the wind making life difficult for both teams to keep hold of the ball. However, it was Wales who were creating the better chances. Stevens hit the post from a tight angle, while Cotterill fired straight at the keeper from distance.
Ed Beach was hardly tested in the first 45 minutes, and when the Portuguese referee brought the first period to an end, Wales seemed the most likely to score in the second.
That idea was proven just three minutes into the second period, as Wales took the lead.
After Iceland failed to clear their lines, Thomas nicked the ball and got a shot away, only for it to be saved by Lúkas Petersson. Thankfully, Cotterill was in the right place at the right time, as he cushioned the rebound in off the post.
The Swindon Town man was clearly hungry for more goals, and he almost grabbed another with a magnificent mazy run through the heart of the Iceland defence, but the keeper came out on top in the one-on-one battle.
In a game with so much pressure on it, this young Wales side showed they could more than cope with it. They restricted Iceland to optimistic shots from range, and never really looked like conceding.
That was however until the 93rd minute, when Iceland got one back. The ball bobbled about from an Iceland corner, and there to hit home through a crowd of bodies was substitute Óskar Borgþórsson.
Despite a nervy final minute of stoppage time, Wales held their own and moved to within one point of at least a playoff place.
Wales’ final game of the qualifying campaign will take place on Friday October 11th against Czechia at Rodney Parade. Kick-off at 17:30.
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Player of the Match: Josh Thomas
While Cotterill will take the plaudits for his goals, none of them would have happened without the work of Thomas. He worked tenaciously to win the ball back, hold it up, and make crucial runs down the channels. A wonderful performance from the Swansea man.
Iceland
Lúkas Petersson, Hlynur Karlsson, Logi Róbertsson (Valgeir Valgeirsson 76’), Róbert Thorkelsson (Benony Andresson 65’), Daníel Kristjánsson, Kristall Ingason, Andri Bladursson ©, Eggert Guðmundsson (Gisli Thordarson 88’), Ísak Sigurgeirsson (Ólafur Guðmundsson 65’), Hilmir Mikaelsson, Ari Sigurpálsson (Óskar Borgþórsson 88’)
Unused subs: Adam Benediktsson, Anton Lúðvíksson, Jón Gíslason, Davíð Jóhansson
Goals: Óskar Borgþórsson (90+3’)
Yellows: Kristall Ingason (35’), Ísak Sigurgeirsson (37’)
Wales
Ed Beach, Fin Stevens ©, Luca Hoole, Joe Low, Matt Baker, Zac Ashworth, Eli King, Charlie Savage, Joel Colwill (Chris Popov 88’), Joel Cotterill (Oli Hammond 90’), Josh Thomas (Cian Ashford 90’)
Unused subs: Evan Watts, Tom Davies, Luey Giles, Alex Williams, Cameron Congreve, Charlie Crew
Goals: Joel Cotterill (48’, 72’)
Yellows: Luca Hoole (35’), Joe Low (53’)
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