Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2021-22

Tash seals second Wales win

Estonia 0
Wales 1 (Harding 5)
It’s back-to-back victories for Wales as they followed up on their home win over Kazakhstan
with three points in Pärnu as Gemma Grainger’s team defeated Estonia 1-0 with a dominant
display.
The six points earned in their opening FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches
sees Wales at the top of Group I along with favourites France.
At the Pärnu Rannastaadion, Wales picked up where they left off against Kazakhstan
in Llanelli on Friday night as the team immediately went on the attack against Estonia. The
Estonian defence creaked under the early pressure as the visitors finally made one of their
chances count.
Jessica Fishlock played a superb through ball that split the Estonian defence to roll
perfectly into Natasha Harding’s path, whose confident finish gave her side a fifth minute
lead.
Kayleigh Green thought she’d put Wales further ahead but after getting the ball in the
net she turned around to see the raised flag of the assistant referee and her goal was ruled out
for offside.
Grainger’s team kept their attacking positivity throughout the first half and into the
second, but following that early goal, the Estonian defence – well drilled by former Wales
boss Jarmo Matikainen – became solid and remained resolute against the constant pressure.
Estonia offered no attacking threat during the match at all, perhaps recognising how
ruthless Wales could be should they dare attempt to give them space by playing higher up the
pitch.
Wales will feel frustrated that they didn’t score more goals after controlling the match,
but the positives Grainger will take from this game will be the chances her team created, the
three points and the clean sheet.
Following the victory, Grainger said: “We set out at the start of this camp to get two
wins and that’s what we’ve done. We created lots of chances and that’s what we wanted to do
but we will take a look at what we can improve.
“When you play opposition like we have today, they set up very well and when you look
at Estonia you’ve got to give them a lot of credit. They set up to block and frustrate us and
when playing teams like that, being patient is really important. I’m pleased that we are
creating chances. When you’re creating chances, the next bit will come also.”
Having scored the winner, Harding added: “It was difficult, and we knew it was going
to be. We had to win and for me I don’t care how we do it, we have to get in that mindset and
it’s six points.”
Wales go to Slovenia next in the group on 22nd October, followed by the return match
against Estonia in Cardiff on 26th October.
Estonia: Karina Kork, Mari Liis Lillemae, Jessika Uleksin, Siret Raamet, Inna Zlidnis,
Liisa Merisalu (sub Grete Daut 90mins), Kethy Ounpuu, Kelly Rosen (sub Emma Treiberg
90mins), Vlada Kubassova, Kristina Bannikova, Lisette Tammik. Subs: Getriin Strigin,
Ragne Gromov, Helen Saar, Eva-Maria Niit, Ave-Lii Laas, Paula Maria Mengel, Lisete
Tammeveski, Anett Joandi, Sandra Liir.
Wales: Laura O'Sullivan, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe,
Angharad James, Natasha Harding, Jessica Fishlock, Sophie Ingle, Ceri Holland (sub
Carrie Jones 64mins), Kayleigh Green (sub Helen Ward 90mins). Subs: Olivia Clark, Poppy
Soper, Lily Woodham, Josie Green, Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Esther Morgan, Megan
Wynne, Anna Filbey, Ffion Morgan.
(faw.cymru)
Issue no. 4 - 23 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk