Lauren Smith has announced a 20-player squad for Wales’ UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship qualifying round group which begins on Sunday.
Wales travel to Denmark where they start against Russia at the Ringkobing Stadium, then play the hosts at the same venue three days later and finish up against North Macedonia at Skjern Stadium. All games are 1pm kick-offs
Midfielder Carrie Jones has been selected after winning her first senior cap against the Faroe Islands last month and there is strong representation from the Orchard WPWL with five players selected from clubs involved in the league. Smith will be taking charge of the squad as Jayne Ludlow continues preparations for the senior team’s qualifying round match against Belarus.
A number of the players selected were involved in last year’s U-17 squad which reached the elite round of the tournament and recently played in the UEFA U-16 development tournament. Smith hopes those experiences will help the players for the upcoming matches.
She told faw.cymru: “Preparations have gone well over the past few months. We have had several training camps where the players have worked hard and met the challenges we have set them so far.
“We’re hoping that playing in the elite round early this year will give the players the experience to understand the physical demands needed for three games in eight days.”
Wales U-17 squad: Safia Middleton-Patel (Liverpool), Elen Valentine (Leeds United), Maria Francois-Jones (Cardiff City LFC), Carrie Jones (Cardiff City LFC), Hollie Smith (Cyncoed), Bethan McGowan (Port Talbot Town), Phoebie Poole (Barry Town United), Ella Humphrey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Farrah Martin (Arsenal), Amy Williams (Tredegar), Emily Thomas (Aberystwyth Town), Mary McAteer (Bristol City), Jessie Taylor (Port Talbot Town), Megan Curran (Brighton & Hove Albion), Isabella Reidford (Manchester United), Taylor Reynolds (Birmingham City), Lauren Purchase (Kuala Lumpur Youth Soccer), Grace Morris (Cyncoed), Megan Lewis (Cardiff City LFC), Ffion Spence (Barry Town United)
#WU17EURO Qual Rd: Republic of Ireland through with game to spare
