Boyle in Positive Spirits in Toughest Challenge
Terry Boyle is in a positive frame of mind as he faces the toughest challenge of his tenure as Wales Semi Professional team manager in Portugal on Wednesday.
This is a fantastic opportunity for these young lads. To come out to Europe, to a country which lives and breathes football, where the World Cup is what everyone is talking about and to face a side like Portugal, is absolutely priceless.
His side, which is dominated by players from the Principality Welsh Premier League, arrived at their base in Fatima on Sunday evening and have enjoyed four good training sessions together in preparation for the game.
"The quality in training has been very good and the new players have fitted in exactly as we wanted. Our preparation has been exactly as I had hoped."
The Porthmadog assistant manager named fourteen players from the league to face the hugely talented professional Portuguese side in the International Challenge Trophy and he knows only too well how important Wednesday will be for their development.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for these young lads. To come out to Europe, to a country which lives and breathes football, where the World Cup is what everyone is talking about and to face a side like Portugal, is absolutely priceless for their development."
"This is exactly why this tournament is so important and why the FAW invests in these players. They are all looking to get back into the professional game and I think that every single one of them is good enough to do that if they work for it."
"In this competition, they have the opportunity to represent their country, to express themselves on the International stage and to face some of the best young talent in Portugal who train day in, day out at top clubs like Porto, Benfica and Sporting."
"It's certainly going to be a tough assignment, but I have confidence in the eighteen players that we have out here to go out and get a result."
Boyle has named his starting eleven to the players already, but admitted that it was the hardest selection that he has faced in his four-match spell as boss.
"We have the strongest squad of players that I've been able to name and picking a starting eleven has been very difficult. I have told the boys that we are a squad of eighteen though and that there will be changes during the match, so those that come on, will be just as important to the team, as those that start the game."
Lee Surman of Port Talbot Town will lead the side for the third time and is welcomed back to the side, having missed the last match in Belfast through injury. Alex Darlington (TNS), Rob Williams (Altrincham) and Michael Pearson (Barrow) will all be hoping to win their first caps at this level.
Wales Semi-Pro Under 23
From: Steven Cann (Aberystwyth), Lee Idzi (Haverfordwest); Michael Johnston (Bangor City), Lee Surman (Port Talbot), Rob Williams (Altrincham), Kyle Critchell (Dorchester), Michael Pearson (Barrow), Curtis McDonald (Forest Green Rovers); Craig S. Jones (TNS), Ashley Williams (Airbus UK), Aeron Edwards (TNS), Luke Sherbon (Aberystwyth), Scott Barrow (Port Talbot), Craig Jones (Llanelli), Alex Darlington (TNS), Jack Christopher (Haverfordwest), Craig Moses (Llanelli), Jamie Reed (Bangor City)
Double Change for Portugal as Yannick withdraws
The Portuguese under 23 team were dealt a double blow on the eve of their International Challenge Trophy match against Terry Boyle's Wales with the withdrawal of star players, Ruben Micael of Porto and Yannick Djalo of Sporting. The duo both picked up strains in their League matches on Sunday, when they faced each other, with Sporting running out 3-0 winners. Speed merchant Yannick scored in that game so his withdrawal will be welcomed by the Welsh Squad.
Ruben Fernandes of Portimonense and S'lvio of Rio Ave have been called into the squad for Wednesday's match, which kicks-off at 3:00pm in the Municipal Stadium of Fatima.
Portugal Under 23
From: Emidio Rafael, Joao Ribeiro, Nuno Coelho (Académica), Fabio Coentao (Benfica), Ricardo Vaz Te (Bolton Wanderers), Vasco Fernandes (Celta de Vigo), Miguel Lopes, Nuno André Coelho (both FC Porto), Vieirinha (PAOK), Bruno Gama, Vitor Gomes, Silvio (all Rio Ave), Rui Patricio, Saleiro (both Sporting Lisbon), Paulo Machado (Toulouse), Pele (Valladolid), Mario Felgueiras (Vitoria de Setubal), Ruben Fernandes (Portimonense)
