Cardiff Met star reveals what European victory would mean for Welsh football

Cardiff Met have put themselves in a strong position to reach the second round of the UEFA Youth League after a with one of their young stars insisting the team are determined to finish the job.

The university side produced an impressive performance in front of almost 1,000 supporters at Cyncoed Stadium, giving themselves a four-goal advantage ahead of a challenging second leg away from home.

For a squad containing players experiencing European football for the first time, the result represents a significant milestone. But the ambition within the group is clear, with the players determined to make the most of an opportunity that many footballers spend their careers hoping to experience.

Stunning European night to remember in Cyncoed

Reflecting on the 4-0 result, Matthews said: “We’ve put ourselves in possibly the best position we could have. We knew it was going to be a tough game, and obviously, it was the first-time experience for a lot of the boys.

“Almost 1,000 fans were there, and to get that experience at such a young age was brilliant. I don’t think we expected to do so well, but it’s a testament to ourselves and the football club.”

Despite the emphatic scoreline, the player explained that the squad had approached the match with the expectation of progressing, having collectively agreed that going out in the opening round would represent a disappointment.

“I probably would have expected a little bit more of a narrow scoreline, because you’re competing against top clubs across Europe,” he said.

“But we sat down as a collective and said that going out in the first round would be a failure. We wanted to get through to the second round. I had belief that we were going to win that game, probably not by four goals, but I knew we were going to do well.”

The victory was made even more memorable by the atmosphere at Cyncoed, with almost 1,000 supporters helping create an occasion the young players will not forget.

One of the defining moments came when Harrison Matthews stepped up to take a penalty, knowing a successful conversion would put his side firmly in control of the tie.

He admitted the nerves were unavoidable as he prepared to take the spot-kick, but previous practice helped him deliver when it mattered most.

“Obviously, the nerves did kick in as soon as I went down and he blew his whistle for the penalty. You do get nervous, but I think you’ve just got to brush that aside.

“I’d practised that same penalty probably a week before the game. When the ball hit the back of the net, that was a really surreal feeling for me, and even better to put us 2-0 up just before half-time.”

Friends, university life and a pathway into senior football

The success has also highlighted the strength of the relationships within the Cardiff Met squad, with several players having progressed together through the club’s academy system.

For the young forward, sharing such an important achievement with close friends has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the team’s progress.

“It’s probably the best thing in football, winning with your friends,” he said.

“I think part of the reason we’ve done so well in the league and qualified for Europe is because we’re all a good group of mates. We all like each other, we all go out with each other, and there’s no bad blood between anyone.”

Playing European football at such an early stage of his career is another experience he does not take lightly.

“People probably go their whole careers wanting to play European football. I think that’s what most footballers would strive for, to play at the highest level.

“To get that exposure at such a young age means so much, and it’s something I definitely wouldn’t take for granted.”

Away from the pitch, the Cardiff Met programme also gives players the opportunity to combine their football commitments with university studies.

As a sports coaching student, he explained that the setup at Cyncoed makes balancing the two relatively straightforward, although it can still present challenges.

“Relatively easy, to be honest. You play football at Cyncoed and study at Cyncoed, but sometimes it can be difficult finding that balance between university and playing football at the same time.

His ambitions also extend beyond his playing career, with coaching a potential option for the future.

He revealed he had already spoken to Cardiff Met Academy Manager and coach Jack Lyons about the possibility of pursuing that route, saying: “At some point down the line, I’d probably like to do coaching alongside playing football.

The influence of the club’s coaching staff has also been important during the European campaign, with their experience of professional and European football helping prepare the squad for the demands of the competition.

“They’re all great. They’ve all played at a really high level. Eliot Evans and Ryan Reynolds have both played European football, so listening to what they have to say is important.

“They’ve helped us a lot on this European journey as well. They know what it’s about, the pressures, and I think they’ve helped all the boys get into the right mindset.”

Four-goal lead will not change Cardiff Met’s mentality

Despite being four goals ahead, Matthews stressed that his team cannot afford to become complacent, particularly with the prospect of a hostile atmosphere and passionate home support awaiting them.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great situation, four goals ahead, but we know it’s going to be difficult out there. They’ll bring noise, they’ll bring fans, and it’s a different country, so we know it’ll be difficult.

“Football’s a weird sport. Anything could happen, so I think it’s just going out there with the right mentality of getting through to the second round.”

For Cardiff Met, progressing to the second round would represent more than simply another result on the European stage. It would be a landmark achievement for the university and a significant moment for Welsh football.

The player made no secret of the importance of what is at stake, insisting the team are determined to make history.

“It would mean absolutely everything. Representing Wales, it would mean everything to get through to the second round.