CYMRU U21 FLASHBACK
10 Years ago – Armenia U21 0-0 Cymru U21 - 15th November 2011 – Yerevan, Armenia
Brian Flynn's side had opened the 2013 UEFA U21 Championship qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Andorra and had claimed a victory over Montenegro before losing the return match while also suffering a defeat to the Czech Republic before they headed to Yerevan to take on Armenia 10 years ago this week. Armenia had suffered their first defeat of the campaign against the Czech Republic a few days before at the same stadium and were keen to make amends.
Cymru started strongly with Tom Bradshaw, Billy Bodin and Jonny Williams all going close in the opening exchanges, before substitute Elliott Chamberlain and Elliott Hewitt were both denied by Armenian goalkeeper Arsen Petrosyan. However, the home side came back into the match, and Chris Maxwell had to be at his best to twice deny Artak Edigaryan late in the game.
It would prove to be a frustrating campaign for Cymru as Armenia won the return match 1-0 in Wrexham the following August before a heavy 5-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in the final game confirmed that Flynn's side would finish the group in fourth place despite claiming 10 points from their eight games. The Czech Republic finished as group winners but missed out on a place at the finals following a play-off defeat to Russia.
Cymru U21 XI: Chris Maxwell (GK), Kieron Freeman, Ashley Richards (c), Lee Lucas, Danny Alfei (Troy Brown 59), David Stephens, Jake Taylor, Elliott Hewitt, Tom Bradshaw, Billy Bodin, Jonathan Williams (Elliott Chamberlain 72).
Unused subs: David Cornell (GK), Joe Walsh, Adam Henley, Jon Meades, Rob Ogleby.
