Gary Richards eyeing repeat of PSV display
Swansea City Under-23s coach Gary Richards has challenged the development side to match the performance levels of their draw with PSV Eindhoven when they face Porto B in the Premier League International Cup this evening (7pm).
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The young Swans welcome the two-time former champions to Landore for their second match of Group D.
The development side are aiming to build on their impressive 1-1 draw with PSV last week and 1-0 victory over Sunderland in Premier League 2 Division Two on Sunday.
In the former, Liam Cullen’s wonderful equaliser secured a deserved point for the hosts, who were unlucky not to take all three following an immensely strong finish to the game.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Richards is targeting a repeat performance against the side that ply their trade in LigaPro – the second tier in Portugal.
“It’s another very exciting game for us,” the under-23s coach said.
“Against PSV, I thought we handled the physicality of the game very well on the night.
“We were really pleased with the performance and could have won the game. That was a good night for us and, hopefully, we can enjoy something similar tonight.
“We’re hoping to build on the past two games and give another good account of ourselves.
“We want it to be a really good occasion and for our players to benefit from the game. As long as we approach it in the right way, I’m sure we will.”
Porto – winners of this competition in 2017 and 2018 – are opposition very familiar to the Swans.
The two sides met at the Liberty in the 2016-17 semi-finals, with the visitors prevailing 1-0 winners on their way to lifting the trophy for the first time.
And Richards is excited at the prospect of another tough challenge for his players this evening.
“We were very pleased with how we played that night because they are probably one of the best teams we’ve ever faced,” he added.
“We were unlucky to lose out by a single goal. They were a quality side and we’re under no illusions that they will be strong again.
“We know that they will be coming here with quality and that’s something we’re really looking forward to.”