Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2022-23

Wales 1 (Fishlock 105)
Bosnia & Herzegovina 0
att: 15,200; at the Cardiff City Stadium
Wales’ World Cup dream lives on after an extra time goal by Jessica Fishlock saw off a dogged
Bosnia & Herzegovina side in front of another record crowd.
Gemma Grainger’s side will now be up against Switzerland as they look to qualify for
next year’s finals via the ‘scenic route’ but in truth, they made heavy weather in beating
limited opponents - their outstanding young centre half Marija Milinkovic aside - but also
had a remarkable FOUR goals disallowed for offside.
The first signs of frustration for Wales came early on as Kayleigh Green put the ball in
the net, only to be ruled offside. A Bosnian break led to Minela Gacanica bringing out a save
low down from Laura O'Sullivan but this was only a rare sortie towards the Welsh goal.
Ceri Holland had a low angled drive saved by a diving Hodzic, who also saved a 25-yard
effort from Rachel Rowe as Wales got on top. A corner was flicked on by Rhiannon Roberts
but Carrie Jones miscontrolled in front of goal, and Angharad James volleyed over from six
yards after being picked out by Fishlock’s cross.
There was a scare for Wales early in the second half as Gloria Sliskovic’s long ball was
nodded past her own keeper by Hayley Ladd but the defender was able to recover and knock
the balle away from any danger.
Wales picked the pace up against a tiring Bosnian side and Green got the ball in the net
from Fishlock’s pass but again the flag intervened.
Ffion Morgan was introduced as a substitute and the young winger looked to have made
the breakthrough minutes later when she nearly swept home, however offside was the
decision again, presuambly against Roberts in the centre as she challenged for Rowe’s cross.
Two minutes later, Fishlock drilled in from Holland’s pass but once again the flag was raised,
this time a more clear cut decision.
The match continued in attack v defence mode in extra time as wave after wave of attacks
was repelled, with the brilliant 17-year-old Milinkovic at the heart of things in the centre.
Holland’s shot was deflected just wide from a cut back by Morgan but as extra time loomed,
the breakthrough finally came.
Rowe’s free kick into the area picked out an unmarked Fishlock and although her volley
almost certainly came off her shin, the ball looped over Hodzic and inside the far post, Wales
taking the lead at long last.
Despite pushing Melisa Hasanbegovic forward as an extra striker, the visitors could
provide no threat and O’Sullivan was untroubled in the Wales goal. Wales were able to keep
possession and comfortably run down the clock to set themselves up with a trip to
Switzerland next Tuesday.
Wales: Laura O'Sullivan, Rhiannon Roberts, Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle, Gemma Evans,
Hayley Ladd, Ceri Holland, Angharad James, Kayleigh Green (sub Megan Wynne
119mins), Jessica Fishlock (sub Helen Ward 115mins), Carrie Jones (sub Ffion Morgan
80mins). Subs: Olivia Clark, Safia Middleton-Patel, Lily Woodham, Josie Green, Chloe Bull,
Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Georgia Walters, Anna Filbey.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Almina Hodzic, Gloria Sliskovic (sub Ena Taslidza 80mins),
Selma Kapetanovic (sub Merjema Medic 70mins), Zerina Piskic (sub Amina Mujanovic
113mins), Melisa Hasanbegovic, Marija Milinkovic, Dajana Spasojevic (sub Andrea
Grebenar 105mins), Marija Aleksic, Minela Gacanica (sub Maja Jelcic 70mins), Ena
Sabanagic, Andrea Gavric (sub Dejana Markovic 113mins). Subs not used: Envera
Hasanbegovic, Indira Fakovic, Alma Kameric, Dula Velagic, Alma Krajnic.
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