TEAMtalk

Flynn retains qualification dream

Tuesday 28-February-2012 18:07

Brian Flynn's side currently sit fourth of the five teams in the section, but are still in with a chance of reaching the finals in Israel.

Andorra are bottom of the group after losing their five games to date, and Wales will be looking for a handsome victory to give them some valuable momentum on the back of their goalless draw in Armenia in November.

Wales will then close their campaign with a home game against the Armenians before a testing final fixture against group leaders the Czech Republic, and Flynn believes his side will need to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance to progress.

Flynn said: "We are at a stage where to give ourselves an opportunity to qualify we must win three games, which is easier said than done.

"We are at home and to qualify you have to win your home games and then look to get points away.

"This is the first of two home games coming up and it would set us up nicely if we can get this win against Andorra.

"But it won't be easy. We had a close 1-0 victory in Andorra and the smaller nations are getting better and it will be a game where we need a lot of patience."

Flynn could hand a first cap at under-21 level to Blackburn's Adam Henley, who was on the bench in Armenia.

The 17-year-old impressed after being thrown into the Rovers first team in the fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United before Christmas, but he is not committed to Wales at senior level and is also eligible to represent England and the United States.

The fixture clashes with the Gary Speed Memorial Match for the senior side against Costa Rica, and Flynn admits he is disappointed that the timing of the meeting with Andorra will prevent him from being at Cardiff City Stadium.

He said: "The date for this was set two years ago in the draw unfortunately. I believe we made an enquiry to Andorra to switch the game to Tuesday.

"They would need to give permission for that to have happened but their league plays on a Sunday, so that would have reduced their preparation time with them flying in on Monday and playing on the Tuesday."