Bosnia-Hercegovina 2-1 Wales

Wales’ unbeaten run in the Under-21 Championships came to an end last night. Wales took the lead through an excellent goal from Joe Allen (who also appeared for the senior side in their win over Scotland on Saturday), and Wrexham keeper Chris Maxwell saved a Bosnia penalty.

Wales remain at the top of the group but second-placed Hungary are four points behind with two games in hand. Wales won’t play again until September 2010.
Joe Allen wasn’t the only member of the squad against Scotland to appear for the under 21s. Strikers Simon Church, Ched Evans and Sam Vokes, and midfielder Andy King all of whom played against Scotland, also played against Bosnia. Adam Matthews made his Under-21 debut days after being part of the senior squad for the first time but was replaced at half-time due to a groin injury. Darcy Blake, who was also on the bench against Scotland, was the unlucky player to concede the penalty.

Simon, Ched, Mark Bradley and substitute Ashley Richards all came close to giving Wales an equaliser.

Would things have been different if a few more members of the senior squad had been able to play? Possibly. Jack Collison (knee) and Chris Gunter (virus) withdrew from the Scotland game as well as the Under-21 Bosnia tie. Aaron Ramsey (back), Gareth Bale (unspecified) and Lewin Nyatanga (unspecified) were also in the original squad to face Bosnia. They could have made a difference but Gareth has not played with the under-21s for a while. There would have been an advantage in putting a few experienced players in the squad, there is also much to be said for playing a team where the players are used to playing together.

Andy King was the Wales captain for the first time. Regular captain Shaun MacDonald, who has had a groin injury, came on as a substitute and set a new record for appearances with the Under-21s. It was his 22nd cap.

However Wales are still top and even if they do end up finishing second they are likely to advance to the play-offs alongside the group winners. A point in their next game could be enough.

Wales Under-21 team
Chris Maxwell (Wrexham), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), Christian Ribeiro (Bristol City), Andy King, captain (Leicester City), Darcy Blake (Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Cardiff City), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Mark Bradley (Walsall), Adam Matthews (Cardiff City), Simon Church (Reading), Ched Evans (Sheffield United), Sam Vokes (Leeds United, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Substitutes: Ashley Richards, replaced Matthews 46 (Swansea City), Shaun MacDonald, replaced Vokes 57 (Yeovil Town, on loan from Swansea City)|
Subs not used: David Cornell (Swansea City), James Wilson (Brentford, on loan from Bristol City), Aaron Morris (Cardiff City), Marc Williams (Wrexham), Elliott Chamberlain (Leicester City)