Aberdare are Bowl-ed over by surprise trophy success
YOUNG Cardiff City trio Cameron Coxe, Rhys Abbruzzese and Mark Harris have all been named in the Wales Under-20s squad to take part in the prestigious Toulon Tournament this summer.
First hosted in 1967, and every year since 1974, the Toulon Tournament is an invitation-only competition comprising of some of the best national teams in age-grade football. In this year’s edition only players born in the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 are eligible to play.
It is held in France and all the matches are played in the Provence region near Marseille. The most recent winners are England, who beat France 2-1 in last year’s final.
And with Wales set to make their debut in the 12-team competition following last year’s Euro 2016 success — when Welsh players and fans made a significant impact on tournament organisers — the FAW have announced a 20-man squad for the trip.
Wales are in Group B alongside France, Ivory Coast and Bahrain, with their first game on May 30 against the host nation.
With Harris making his first team debut for Neil Warnock’s side this season, and Coxe and Abbruzzese expected to make an impact in the coming years, their selections are proof that Warnock (and Player Development manager Craig Bellamy) are having a positive effect on the blossoming Bluebirds nursery.
Here, we profile the three prodigious Cardiff players who could help Wales make further inroads on the international stage.
Cameron Coxe
The 18-year-old right back from Merthyr Tydfil is hoping to succeed Merthyr boy Declan John in the Cardiff City side — and he’s very highly thought of at club and international level.
But while John’s career has stalled in recent years, Coxe has become a regular for Wales Under-19s, contributing to their famous 3-2 win over England in November last year.
He’s described by the club as “an athletic, powerful, modern full back who likes to get forward and play on the front foot”.
Coxe has been in the Bluebirds academy since the age of seven and it could be a momentous summer for the right back, now playing at his highest level of international football, at Under-20s.
Rhys Abbruzzese
Similar to Coxe, Abbruzzese, 19, is a forward-thinking full back in the 21st century mould, who’ll face stiff competition in this Wales squad from Chelsea’s Cole Dasilva and Swansea City starlet Joe Rodon who both play in the same position.
The 19-year-old Bluebirds full back has been capped at Under-19s level and recently agreed to extend
his stay at Cardiff City Stadium until 2019.
It might be make or break by then, but this summer is a big opportunity for the speedy left-back to impress.
Mark Harris
Bluebirds fans will be familiar enough with Mark “Sparky” Harris, who first appeared in first team action against Fulham at Cardiff City Stadium in a flat January FA Cup tie.
Warnock is a big fan of the 18-year-old, who doesn’t turn 19 until December and can operate on the wings or from a central attacking position
He started his first league game in the Bluebirds’ goalless draw with Wigan Athletic towards the end of the season, before coming on as a substitute in the 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town on the season’s final day.
Harris is a skilful attacking midfield player, who has shown an eye for goal throughout his time in the Cardiff youth system. He has represented Wales at almost every youth level since his schoolboy days and his role in the Bluebirds’ first team squad will surely increase next season.
Who else is in the squad?
Former Cardiff City and Newport youngster Regan Poole — now in the Manchester United youth set up — is one of the more recognisable names in the 20-man squad; alongside Everton starlet Nathan Broadhead and West Brom forward Tyler Roberts.
Swansea City have a quintet in the squad: Rodon, Lewis Thomas Daniel James, Liam Cullen and Jack Evans are all included.