Collins In Action as Young Wales Hit for Eight!


James Collins

By Chris O'Brien
September 6 2003

Cardiff City youngster James Collins was taught one of the hardest lessons of his short-lived football career on Friday night, as the Welsh Under-21 side were hammered 8-1 by an impressive Italian outfit. New Page 1

Collins In Action as Young Wales Hit for Eight!
After two excellent displays in the league for the Bluebirds, City's in-form defender James Collins was brought down to Earth with a bang as the Welsh Under-21 side were hammered 8-1 by Italy.

Four goals from Parma forward Alberto Gilardino, a Giuseppe Sculli brace and strikes from skipper Matteo Brighi and Marco Borriello helped the Azzuri side maintain their 100% record in the Group Nine Qualification Group.

The Welsh defence kept the Italy attack at-bay for the opening seventeen minutes, before the goals started pouring in.

David Vaughan gave the Welsh support something to cheer about, with Wales' only goal, but it was yet another bitterly disappointing night for Jimmy Shoulder's youngsters.

Italy Under-21's: Amelia, Zaccardo, Pisano, Cannavaro, Bonera, De Rossi, Pinzi, Brighi, Gilardino, D'Agostino, Sculli.
Subs: Pegolo, Moretti, Pasquale, Dalla Bona, Donati, Palombo, Borriello.

Wales Under-21's: Brown, Pejic, Somner, Fowler, Rees, Collins, Pipe, Brough, Gall, Vaughan, Gareth Williams.
Subs: Price, Powell, Morgan, Stock, Matty Williams, Mark Jones, Whitfield.

Full Time - Italy Under-21's 8-1 Wales Under-21's

1-8 - The number for embarrassing Welsh football scores!

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