Matty Jones Vows To Find Answers After Blunder Helps Sink Wales Youngsters’ Euros Chances

Matthew Jones, Head Coach of Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Matty Jones Vows To Find Answers After Blunder Helps Sink Wales Youngsters’ Euros Chances

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By David Williams

Matty Jones has promised an enquiry after Wales’ dreams of an historic night at Rodney Parade and a place in the Under-21 European Championship finals were crushed by the Czech Republic.

The Welsh side suffered a 2-1 defeat in Newport, compounded by a disastrous day that saw manager Jones forced to exclude six players due to an administrative error.

Among the missing players were senior internationals Rubin Colwill and Owen Beck, who were ruled out on the day of the match because of a paperwork mishap.

A positive result would have temporarily lifted Wales above group leaders Denmark, but the loss leaves their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

“There will be a review to get to the bottom of it and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said Jones.

“It has caused disruption and unnecessary noise. I think I managed it the best I could but ultimately it’s at the back of your mind and at the back of players’ minds as well.

“We know we have the strength in the squad to cater for players when they’ve been missed, when they’ve been good enough to go up to the first team.

“Of course, everyone wants a Rubin Colwill and Owen Beck in the team but we’ve shown before we can manage without them. It wasn’t a major concern, but how it came about was disappointing.

“We will stick together and take the responsibility as a whole. It’s a ‘we’ problem rather than about pointing fingers.”

Newport County defender Matt Baker scored an own goal in the 27th minute, accidentally deflecting a Matej Jurasek shot that seemed to be heading wide into the back of the net.

The Czechs doubled their lead five minutes into the second half with a goal from Vaclav Sejk.

Although Luca Hoole, a Shrewsbury defender from Gwent, pulled one back for Wales with a well-taken goal, it proved to be just a consolation.

Denmark will face Iceland on Tuesday, while Wales now must hope that the Czech Republic falters against bottom-side Lithuania to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.

Jones added: “To say we’ve overachieved is an understatement.

“The boys have shown character through the campaign, everyone wrote us off going into it as fourth seeds.

“It’s down to the players and the togetherness we’ve created so there are lots of positives, but the players won’t want to hear that right now.

“My emotions are really fragile because it’s been a lot of hard work for two years, and to see it come to an end like that – even though we’re hanging onto a string – is tough.

“We know these teams qualify for major tournaments and do it consistently, we know what it looks like, but we need to know how it feels. They know how to find a way to qualify and we need to get there.”

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