Wales Under-21 boss Matty Jones has praised the atmosphere at Rodney Parade ahead of his side’s crucial Euro 2025 qualifier against Czechia on Friday night (5.30pm).
Currently in Group I, Wales are in a strong position to qualify for the finals in Slovakia as one of the three best group runners-up. However, securing this spot may depend on results. A draw against Czechia will guarantee Wales a play-off place - the first for a Wales intermediate age group since 2008.
But If Wales can win the group outright by defeating Czechia, and if group leaders Denmark - who are level on points with Wales - slip up in their final match against Iceland four days later, Jones’s men will qualify directly for the finals, becoming the first-ever intermediate age group to do so.
And Jones, a former Leeds United, Leicester City, and Wales midfielder, highlighted the importance of the home support at Rodney Parade, which he says has been a key factor in their campaign's success.
“I think the support we’ve had at Rodney Parade has really contributed to our success on the pitch,” explained Jones.
“The support we’ve hade from the club and the Dragons has been tremendous, we couldn’t have asked for anymore. I sensed that the first time I came here for a site visit when it was our idea to make somewhere our home, make somewhere our fortress.
“Going back to my first visit I just sensed that there was nothing that the club or the Dragons wouldn’t do for us. There was a real sense of belonging when we came here and there was a real sense of welcome.
“There is some fantastic work going on behind the scenes and I’ve been lucky enough to experience that, so that has certainly been a huge contribution to our success on the pitch.”
On attracting further home support at Rodney Parade, he added: “To get close to the capacity at Rodney Parade would be my ambition and all I can do is send a plea out to our fans, our local Newport fans and Welsh fans to just come and fill the seats because our boys need you. The team always loves that home support and we have grown that over the course of our time here at Rodney Parade.
“We’ve gone from previous campaigns where we’ve had around 100 people come and watch under-21s football to over 1,300 in the last three matches at Rodney Parade.
“That has been a huge contribution to enjoying our experience here but also the support and backing that we get from those shouting fans. We’ve targeted a lot of Welsh schools; we’ve engaged with a lot of the community around Newport and now we are trying to branch a little further.
“We’re trying to send the message to come here and watch football because I’m sure they will be engrossed and rewarded hopefully with the success we are hoping to have on the evening.”
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County defender Matt Baker has been a standout performer for Wales Under-21s, earning six caps during their recent successful campaign.
In a special moment last month, before County’s league match against Crewe Alexandra, Jones presented Baker with his latest Welsh international cap on the pitch, applauding his achievements in front of the Amber Army.
Jones has been impressed with Baker’s progress during his time at County and believes the young central defender has a bright future ahead of him, both domestically and on the international stage
“I’m sure Matt (Baker) will enjoy playing in front of such a partisan crowd. He’s been outstanding for me, the team and the country. We really believe in his ability; he’s technically gifted, composed and has a brilliant mentality,” Jones said previously.
“He got his reward by being called up to the senior squad for the first time last June for the friendlies against Gibraltar and Slovenia. It was a shame he didn’t win his first senior cap, but I’m sure if he keeps progressing there will be more opportunities to come over the years.’’
The U21 international will get under way at 5.30pm on Friday, October 11 and falls a few hours prior to the senior squad taking on Iceland in Reykjavík (7.45pm).
Supporters with a Cymru U21 match ticket will also be able to watch the senior international against Iceland afterwards on the screens at Rodney Parade.
Tickets for the fixture can be purchased HERE.
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Wales Under-21 squad: L Benjamin (Wolves), E Watts (Swansea), F Stevens (St Pauli), A Williams (Stratford, on loan from West Brom), M Baker (Newport), L Hoole (Shrewsbury), E Turns (Brighton), Z Ashworth (Blackpool), T Davies (Cardiff), C Congreve (Bromley, on loan from Swansea), O Hampson (Sheff Utd), E King (Stevenage, on loan from Cardiff), O Hammond (Oldham), J Cotterill (Swindon, on loan from Swansea), C Savage (Reading), C Crew (Leeds), J Colwill (Cheltenham, on loan from Cardiff), R Colwill, C Ashford (both Cardiff), J Thomas (Bromley, on loan from Swansea), C Popov (Barrow, on loan from Leicester), J Farrell (Villanovense).