Wales manager Chris Coleman announced his squad for the European Qualifiers with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus at Cardiff City Stadium on the10th & 13th October 2014 today (1st October).
Asked about the absence of Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey, he said: “Disappointing, but we have replacements and it is something that we get used to. We have alternatives, but we are also missing David Vaughan and Andrew Crofts, so we have had to have a look at a few new names too.”
“As far as Joe Allen was concerned, he was never going to be ready for this, so there was no point in calling-him in.”
Commenting on the result in Andorra: “I was surprised at the negativity after the game in Andorra. Other teams will have to go there and cope with the pitch. This is a results business though, and we got it by showing plenty of courage. It was a big three points for us.”
Chris made the point that too many people are taking a negative view about the campaign already, but he has no concerns over them.
Looking at the Bosnia-Herzegovia match: “The Bosnian’s will be like wounded animals after the defeat to Cyprus in the first game. They are a class team and will be smarting from that opening defeat and looking to make amends for it.”
“I am only focusing on the Friday game (v.Bosnia-Herzegovina). We need to get the points from that game first, before we start to consider the Cyprus match.”
On two of the other squad players: “Emyr Huws and Johnny Williams both have knocks, but we have nine days before the game so, I think we should have time for them to recover. This is a horrible time for all international managers, the few days before the squad assembles. I wish I could switch my phone-off really!”
“This is a really open group, but we need to take points-off Bosnia, especially after their opening defeat, but Israel and Cyprus will no doubt feel the same way.”
There are six uncapped players in the squad: Goalkeepers Kyle Letheren and Owain Fon Williams, Defender Rhoys Wiggins, Midfielder Lee Evans and Forwards Jake Taylor and Tom Lawrence. The most capped player in the squad is Chris Gunter with 54 appearances.
The matches, both at Cardiff City Stadium are against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday 10th October and Cyprus on Monday 13th October. Both games kick-off at 7.45pm.
Wayne Hennessey – Crystal Palace
Kyle Letheren – Dundee
Owain Fon Williams – Tranmere Rovers
James Chester – Hull City
James Collins – West Ham United – Out – Joe Walsh – Crawley Town – In
Ben Davies – Tottenham Hotspur
Paul Dummett – Newcastle United – Out – Declan John – Cardiff City – In
Danny Gabbidon – Cardiff City / Dinas Caerdydd
Chris Gunter – Reading
Samuel Ricketts – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Neil Taylor – Swansea City / Dinas Abertawe
Rhoys Wiggins – Charlton Athletic
Ashley Williams – Swansea City / Dinas Abertawe
David Cotterill – Birmingham City
David Edwards – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Lee Evans – Wolverhampton Wanderers – Out – Gwion Edwards – Crawley Town – In
Emyr Huws – Wigan Athletic
Andy King – Leicester City
Joe Ledley – Crystal Palace
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Simon Church – Charlton Athletic
Tom Lawrence – Leicester City
Hal Robson-Kanu – Reading
Jake Taylor – Reading
George Williams – Fulham
Jonathan Williams – Crystal Palace (Loan Ipswich Town
Travel details confirmed for Monday’s trip to Cardiff on Monday 13th October 2014 for Wales v Cyprus.
With Cyprus still riding high after their win in Bosnia, their next away game sees them head to Cardiff as they take on Wales in a European qualifier game which will Kick off at 19:45 on Monday, 13th October 2014 at Cardiff City Stadium, Wales.
Wales with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey at the helm and on home soil will be expected to win but they struggled to beat Andorra in their last game, in fact they were one nil down before coming back late in the game to win.
We genuinely think Cyprus have a great chance of winning so all you Cypriot fans get your Cyprus flags and shirts and lets go and conquer Wales.
For all Cyprus fans interested in making the trip to cheer on the Cyprus National Football team, KOPA Football League in the UK can confirm that pick-up time and place are as follows:
12.00 pm outside the entrance of Wingate and Finchley Football Ground, Summers Lane, London N12 0PD. There is plenty of free car parking in the vicinity.
After the match the bus will return to Summers Lane, Finchley approximate leaving time 10.30pm and expect to be back in London 2.00am.
Supporters will be travelling on a 53 -seater coach, equipped with toilet supplied by our travel partner . The cost is £25 for the return journey.
For tickets and travel information you can contact the General Secretary of the Cypriot Football League in the UK (KOPA) Michael Yiakoumi on 07958 207412
