Leeds United youngster gets immediate chance to bounce back after 7-0 international rout
A Leeds United youngster will get an almost immediate chance to bounce back after a chastening start to this summer’s Under-19 international tournament.
Jayden Lienou was reunited with his Wales Under-19 team-mates this summer after joining up with Craig Bellamy’s senior squad and making it onto the bench for the post-season friendly against Ghana. The left-back is one of the more experienced heads in Chris Gunter’s Welsh squad taking part in the home European Under-19 Championships, with group games at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.
The tournament got off to a chastening start for Lienou and Wales, with a 7-0 defeat by nine-times champions Spain. The visitors eased into the lead by the 16th minute, Daniel Yañez finding the net with a deflected effort. By half-time it was 4-0, Xavi Espart’s goal and a quick-fire brace from Morante giving Wales an almost impossible task for the second half.
Quim Junyent extended Spain’s lead with an exquisite chip a minute after the break and then Sergio Esteban and Diego Aguado completed the rout. Leeds defender Lienou, who was booked in the first half, played 82 minutes. The 18-year-old will hope to bounce back when Wales take on Germany on Wednesday in their second Group A fixture. Germany ran out 4-3 winners over Denmark in their first group outing at the weekend.