Cymru clinched qualification for the UEFA European Under-17 Championships finals for the first time following a late draw against Montenegro.
Second half goals by Iwan Morgan and Dylan Lawlor earned Cymru a comeback draw following Montenegro’s quick-fire double at the end of the first half.
The result means Cymru finished top of Group 2 in the #U17EURO Elite Round, qualifying for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Hungary in May.
It’s the first time a Cymru men’s age-group side has qualified for a major tournament since 1981.
Cymru started brightly, with Rhys Thomas forcing a save out of Ognjen Milović with a cutback from the touchline, and an early Charlie Crew free kick being blocked for a corner.
Iwan Morgan continued his fine form across the international break as he dribbled powerfully towards the touchline before cutting back to Troy Perrett, whose shot was blocked.
Freddie Issaka was then played through by Iwan Morgan before firing the ball narrowly wide of the far post.
Luey Giles was next to come close, as he curled a free kick around the wall, but his well-hit attempt was off target.
Montenegro then had their first attempt of the game through Miloš Vračar, who forced a great save out of Kit Margetson from a tight angle on the right.
Andrija Camaj caused further problems for Cymru shortly after, cutting in from the right before firing on target.
Issaka provided a great cross from the right-hand side that was inches away from being met by Gabriele Biancheri and Iwan Morgan just outside of the six-yard-box.
Perrett found Iwan Morgan brilliantly with a ball over the top, but Bojan Damjanović recovered, and his attempt was blocked.
A clever free kick saw Charlie Crew set up Giles, who struck the crossbar with an attempt.
Issaka provided an opportunity for Iwan Morgan once again, but the latter was unable to direct his header on target.
Margetson tipped a Camaj shot from distance out for a corner before a commanding leap by Lawlor cleared danger.
Montenegro took the lead through Vasilije Adžić. Margetson parried a brilliant save into his path, and the attacker picked out the top corner to give his side the lead.
Adžić doubled their lead moments later, getting in behind the Cymru defence on the counter attack before slotting into the bottom corner on the brink of half-time.
Iwan Morgan halved the deficit early in the second half as he finished after being played through by Crew.
Biancheri volleyed on target, but Milović palmed the ball over the crossbar.
He then played Issaka through on the right, whose attempt failed to hit the target.
Cymru had a couple of attempts to bring the game level as Alfie Tuck’s attempt was saved and Iwan Morgan struck the rebound off the post.
Defender Lawlor secured Cymru’s qualification for the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with a back-heel following a Tuck cross.
Cymru XI: Kit Margetson, Rhys Thomas, Luey Giles, Daniel Cox, Dylan Lawlor, Charlie Crew (C), Troy Perrett (George Morgan 81’), Joe Andrews (Alfie Tuck 68’), Iwan Morgan, Gabriele Biancheri (Cody Twose 81’), Freddie Issaka.
GOALS: Iwan Morgan (50’), Dylan Lawlor (86’)
YELLOW CARDS: Luey Giles (76’)
Montenegro XI: Ognjen Milović, Lazar Maraš, Miloš Vračar (C), Marko Perović, Vasilije Adžić, Bojan Damjanović, Zarija Kumburović, Danilo Vukanić (Tomislav Turović 71’), Andrija Camaj, Filip Perović (Marko Tadić 88’).
GOALS: Vasilije Adžić (45+2’, 45+3’)
YELLOW CARDS: Marko Perović (36’)
