How a goal against Wrexham led Lacey back with Wales

From scoring against Wrexham to representing Wales in Wrexham – Joe Lacey has come "full circle" in 12 months.

Lacey, 19, scored the winner for his club Sydney FC in a friendly against Wrexham in July last year.

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The midfielder said at the time that scoring his first professional goal in the game at the Allianz Stadium "felt like a video game."

"Yeah, that was a good moment," Lacey told BBC Sport Wales after playing for Wales Under-19s at the Racecourse in the Uefa Men's Under-19 Championship.

"I think that helped me get selected for Wales, to be honest.

"Coming here is kind of a full-circle moment - scoring against Wrexham and then having the Euros at the Racecourse.

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"It's cool to think about."

Although born in New South Wales and having represented Australia at Under-20 level, Lacey's international ambitions are firmly with Wales.

"My mum's from Pontypridd, she grew up there and lived there until she was about 22. My dad met her at Swansea University," he added.

"My roots run deep in Wales, so I'm a proud Welshman.

"Playing for Wales now, that is the goal.

"That's a dream of mine, representing my family in Wales is a big thing."

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Lacey was included in Chris Gunter's squad for the Under-19 Euros and came on as a substitute against Germany before starting in the final game against Denmark.

Lacey acknowledged Wales had come up against "tough opponents" - losing 7-0 to Spain before a 4-0 defeat to Germany and beaten 3-0 by Denmark.

"Obviously, some of the scorelines were quite large but I think we left everything out there that we could," Lacey said.

"We always backed ourselves to do well, and look we didn't end up coming here and achieving what we wanted to achieve, but the effort from the boys and the passion that we had in the changing room and in the hotel for the past two weeks was there.

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"Different results didn't go our way, but that's football."

Wales' exit from the Under-19s Euros came a day after Australia had been knocked out of the World Cup by Egypt on penalties.

"I've got mates that play for Australia, obviously, growing up there my whole life," Lacey added.

"It's disappointing for them, but yet again, I'm fully focused on Wales."

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