Wales hold a one-goal advantage ahead of their Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final second leg against Albania in Llanelli on Tuesday, following a narrow opening victory in Shkoder.
Loro Borici Stadium Victory Sets Up Llanelli Return
Wales return home to Llanelli on Tuesday holding a lead from their Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final first leg. Rhian Wilkinson’s side secured a 1-0 triumph in Albania on Friday, though the visiting team had to weather intense pressure at the Loro Borici Stadium.
The decisive moment arrived via a set-piece when Ezmiralda Franja diverted Lily Woodham’s corner into her own net. Aside from that own goal, Wales created few clear openings, with Mared Griffiths and Hannah Cain registering the only notable sights of goal.
“We knew coming here [to Albania wasn’t going to be easy,” said Wales captain Angharad James. “The most important thing was getting the result, the clean sheet and taking that back to Llanelli on Tuesday.”
Angharad James, Wales captain
Albania generated the better chances throughout the night, forcing Wales goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel into regular action against opponents sitting 37 places below them in the Fifa rankings. Wales also benefited from good fortune when Fortesa Berisha rattled the post and Megi Doci saw an effort chalked off for offside.
There were moments where obviously they could have scored, but you ride your luck sometimes. We rode the game out. I’m really proud of the girls. We go into Tuesday confident and with areas to improve on.
Rachel Rowe, Wales midfielder, via BBC
Head coach Wilkinson noted that her team found a way to win on a difficult day, emphasizing that the squad must take care of business at home while pushing their standards higher.
Travel Struggles Mirror Group Stage Patterns
Friday’s unconvincing display in Shkoder followed a familiar script from the group stage of qualifying. In away fixtures across the Czech Republic, Albania, and Montenegro, Wales consistently ground out results despite underwhelming performances on the road, topping their group after scraping a point in the Czech Republic, winning 1-0 in Albania, and drawing 1-1 in Montenegro.
Wilkinson will look for a repeat of that dominant home form when the teams reconvene in Llanelli.
Midfielder Sophie Ingle pointed to tactical adjustments needed for the return leg.
I think [we need] just a bit more calmness in possession and then obviously to kill their counter-attack, because they’re really good. They’ve got two, three fast forwards and you can see on the break a few times they tested Saf in goal.
Sophie Ingle, Wales midfielder, via Yahoo
Unbeaten Run and Potential Path to Brazil
Victory in Albania extended Wales’ unbeaten run to nine matches, equaling the national team’s previous best sequence recorded between November 2013 and August 2014. Avoiding defeat on Tuesday will establish a new record of 10 games without a loss.
However, tougher tests loom on the horizon for a side aiming for further milestones.
A two-legged play-off final in December awaits the victors of the Llanelli match against Norway, with the return fixture scheduled on away soil. Holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, the Norwegian side—who sit 14th globally and frequently participate in major competitions—stand on the brink of securing their spot in the final.
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