Belief is the key says Church (From South Wales Argus)

Belief is the key says Church

11:20am Wednesday 18th November 2009

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NEWPORT youngster Simon Church insists Wales’ young guns are finally ready to end more than 50 years of hurt by qualifying for a major tournament – the UEFA under-21s Championship.

Wales will put themselves in pole position to make the summer finals with a win this afternoon in Sarajevo against Bosnia–Herzegovina (kick-off 3pm) with Group Three rivals Italy already effectively out of the running for qualification.

After coming so close last year, only to lose to bitter rivals England in an amazing play-off encounter, Church insists Brian Flynn’s tots are now ready to take Wales to the next level.

After scoring his first senior goal at the weekend to down Scotland and end George Burley’s tenure as national coach, Church admits confidence amongst the Welsh young guns is at an all time high.

And despite enjoying the chance to run amok against the disjointed Scots at senior level, attention remains firmly focused on achieving all they can with the under-21s.

“It was a game which was easy to enjoy,” (the win over Scotland) he said “Ched and I both agreed it had gone pretty well with two of us up front.

“We wanted to stay on there longer, but obviously Wednes-day is a big game as well, so we’ve got to concentrate on that.

“Scotland did well in their World Cup campaign and people would have thought it could have gone either way before the game. It’s given us a big lift.

“We’re looking to get over the finishing line today. If we win, we’ve virtually qualified for the finals. We just need to go into it with the same belief we’ve had in this campaign and the last one. Hopefully it’ll be job done.”

Church, who qualifies for Wales thanks to his Newport grandparents, admits his first senior goal on Saturday was dedicated to his late father Bruce, just as every goal still to come will be.

“That was for my dad,” he said. “Obviously he can’t be here, but he would be proud and he would have been watching. Every goal I score is for him.”

Meanwhile, colleague Joe Allen is expecting the under-21s to be at their very best, with Church and Ched Evans likely to spearhead the attack.

“This is a big game and that is why we are taking some really good players,” he said. “We have to put expectations on ourselves to get the result and the three points to settle ourselves on top of the table.”

After travelling to Sarajevo, Wales finish with important trips to Hungary and Italy, though they don’t play again for 10 months.

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