CYMRU and Armenia are set to lock horns at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday, June 16. Both teams will be eager to secure a vital victory and boost their chances of qualifying for the prestigious tournament.
Cymru, led by manager Robert Page, started their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Latvia on March 28. The victory ended their nine-game winless streak, providing a much-needed morale boost for the team. Prior to their win, Cymru had suffered six defeats and three draws, including a 1-1 stalemate against Croatia in their Group D opener.
With four points from two matches, Wales currently sit at the top of the standings, level on points with second-placed Croatia. The Welsh team will be aiming to maintain their winning momentum and consolidate their position at the summit of the group.
Speaking about the upcoming clash, Robert Page expressed his optimism and emphasized the importance of building on their previous victory. He said, “The win against Latvia was a significant step for us. It gave us the belief that we can compete at this level. Now, we need to carry that momentum forward and secure another three points against Armenia. They are a tough team, but we are prepared and ready for the challenge.”
On the other hand, Armenia, managed by Oleksandr Petrakov, are still searching for their first win in the qualifiers. Having played just one match so far, they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Turkey in March. However, Armenia showed resilience in their subsequent friendly against Cyprus, battling to a 2-2 draw.
Armenia’s winless streak extends to nine games, with seven defeats since their 1-0 victory over Ireland in June 2022. Despite the recent struggles, Petrakov remains optimistic and believes his team has the potential to turn things around. He stated, “We have faced some tough challenges lately, but our spirit remains unbroken. The players are determined to give their all and secure a positive result against Wales. It won’t be easy, but we are ready to fight.”