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    Cymru vs. Poland | Friendly match – Football – Female – A

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        2. ELISE HUGHES EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT

          Elise Hughes provided her views to BBC Match of the Day Wales following the final whistle: “We are really disappointed with the result and performance. It’s not the Cymru we are used to seeing. It could have been 5-5… the manner of the goals conceded wasn’t good enough for a Wales side. It’s disappointing end to a good camp. Moving forward we’ve got to be better than that.

          “It means everything to me to start for Wales and to get a goal is even better, but I am disappointed it’s come on the back of a defeat. I’ve got to keep pushing on so I can start more of these games.”

        3. RHIAN WILKINSON POST-MATCH REACTION

          Rhian Wilkinson spoke to BBC Match of the Day Wales following her team’s 5-2 loss and said: “I did not like that game. I did not think we lived our identity. I’ve said no excuses, that’s what we do with Wales. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch we have to be able to deliver.

          “We never had control of that game, and honestly it could’ve been 10-10, 5-5, they scored more goals than us. The sequence with those three goals, that’s not football. I’m not proud of that performance. I don’t mind losing, but we have to make sure it’s because we’re trying to do something. I think we got caught up in a transitional game, we’re better than that.”

        4. MATCH SUMMARY:

          Poland claimed a 5-2 victory at Rodney Parade in a match decided by a two minute spell that produced three goals in the 2nd half. Despite the defeat, head coach Rhian Wilkinson can take positives from the application of her players in the final third in a performance that got the crowd on their feet.

          Wilkinson made nine changes to her starting line-up from the defeat to Australia at the weekend, including debutants Teagan Scarlett and Mia Ross in a team with an average age of under 24. Hayley Ladd captained the side while Charlie Estcourt was handed a start on her 50th senior cap.

          Both nations made history during the summer by competing at the EURO finals for the first time, while Nina Patalon’s Poland came into the match on the back of an impressive 0-0 draw against the Netherlands on Friday night.

          A really positive start from Cymru provided the perfect start as an effort from Anna Filbey was spilled by goalkeeper Kinga Seweryn and into the path of Elise Hughes who made no mistake to opening the scoring after just five minutes.

          Cymru continued to pressure the Polish defence and both Tianna Teisar and Hughes both had chances to increase the lead in the opening exchanges. However, Poland soon settled into the match and began to show their quality in the final third, and made their increased possession count shortly after.

          Poland equalised on 22 minutes through a fine strike from the edge of area by Nadia Krezyman, and on the half-hour mark, Milena Kokosz also beat Cymru goalkeeper Olivia Clark from distance to give her side the lead. Clark would then deny Adriana Achcińska from a free-kick.

          Cymru had been solid at the back prior to the goals, with captain Hayley Ladd leading by example with a typically assured display. At the other end, Hughes came very close to equalising for Cymru with the final kick of the opening half, but her effort went narrowly wide of the target.

          Despite the introduction of the experienced duo of Ceri Holland and Sophie Ingle, two crazy minutes decided this contest shortly after the restart. On 55 minutes, Nadia Krezyman extended Poland’s lead, but Carrie Jones responded in style straight from the kick-off to bring her side back into the match.

          Poland were not to be outdone, and on 57 minutes Paulina Tomasiak made no mistake from close-range to make it 4-2. Cymru goalkeeper Olivia Clark had to be at her best while the home side continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack, but the victory for Poland was sealed with the goal of the night on 84 minutes through substitute Klaudia Jedlińska.

          The concern will be over the number of chances that Poland were allowed to create. However, this is a new era for Cymru, and Wilkinson will be generally pleased with how the young players embraced their opportunity to represent the senior side over these two friendly fixtures.

        5. FULL-TIME VERDICT:

          Three goals in two crazy 2nd half minutes decided this fiercely contested and highly entertaining encounter at Rodney Parade. Poland went into half-time with a 2-1 lead despite Cymru having put in a decent performance, but Nadia Krezyman and Paulina Tomasiak scored either side of Carrie Jones’ effort all between 55 and 57 minutes to make it 4-2. Substitute Klaudia Jedlińska then sealed the win for Poland with the goal of the night in the final moments to make it five. Goalkeeper Olivia Clark had to be at her best to prevent Poland extending their lead, but head coach Rhian Wilkinson can take positives from Cymru’s attacking performance, together with the number of debuts handed out during this two-match camp as a new era begins.

        6. 90'

          Cymru certainly have not given up on this one and the crowd are still very much behind them despite the score.

        7. 89'

          Substitution

          CYRANIAK replaces TOMASIAK

        9. 84'

          The goal of the night and probably the decider as Jedlińska scores Poland’s fifth with a superb curling finish from a wide.

        10. 83'

          Goal

          JEDLINSKA

        11. 79'

          Substitution

          DOMIN replaces ACHCINSKA

        12. 78'

          Substitution

          JEDLINSKA replaces WIANKOWSKA

        13. 77'

          Substitution

          JAMES Angharad replaces ROSS Mia

        14. 75'

          Cymru keep pushing to get themselves back into this match as Jones tries her luck from the edge of the area but her effort clears the crossbar.

        15. 71'

          Cymru come close again at the other end as Holland’s curling effort drifts narrowly past the far post.

        16. 67'

          Excellent work by Clark to prevent Poland from extending their lead. She’s needed to be at her best tonight as Poland are looking dangerous on the counter-attack.

        17. 64'

          Substitution

          MCATEER Mary replaces HUGHES Elise

        18. 64'

          Substitution

          EVANS Gemma Jayne replaces FILBEY Anna

        19. 61'

          Substitution

          ZAREMBA replaces ZIENIEWICZ

        20. 61'

          Substitution

          GRZYBOWSKA replaces PADILLA-BIDAS

        21. 61'

          Substitution

          ZAWISTOWSKA replaces KREZYMAN

        22. 61'

          A decent effort from Ross on her senior Cymru debut but her shot goes over the bar.

        26. 59'

          The chances continue as Clark makes a fine save to prevent Poland from extending their lead even further.

        27. 58'

          Absolute madness here at Rodney Parade with three goals in as many minutes. Defences are definitely not on top.

        28. 57'

          Goal

          TOMASIAK

        29. 56'

          Goal

          JONES Carrie

        30. 55'

          Goal

          KREZYMAN

        31. 50'

          So close! Jones almost levels for Cymru but she just could not connect with the ball from close range.

        32. 47'

          Almost the perfect start to the 2nd half for Cymru as substitute Holland heads against the bar with her first touch

        33. Prior to kick off, Charlie Estcourt received her golden cap for making her 50th Cymru appearance.

        34. HALF-TIME VERDICT:

          Cymru took a deserved lead after just five minutes through Elise Hughes and played with plenty of attacking positivity in the opening exchanges, with Ffion Morgan central to their creative play. Tianna Teisar almost scored her first senior goal minutes later, and Hughes was denied a second by goalkeeper Kinga Seweryn inside the opening 15 minutes. However, while Cymru continued to look dangerous in the final third, it was Poland who go into half-time ahead through two great strikes from Nadia Krezyman and Milena Kokosz midway through the half. It’s been another impressive display from Cymru, and it’s very much all to play for here at Rodney Parade.

        35. 44'

          Cymru are determined to get back into this match and are continuing to cause problems for the Polish defence.

        36. 📸 Scarlett on the ball as she makes her debut for Cymru.

        38. 36'

          A good save from Clark to deny Achcińska. Poland are putting the Cymru defence under some pressure.

        39. 33'

          Ladd is booked for a foul on the edge of area. A dangerous position for Cymru to concede a free-kick.

        40. 30'

          Poland take the lead through another fine strike, this time from Kokosz. That’s tough on Cymru who have really asked some questions of their opponents this evening.

        41. 29'

          Goal

          KOKOSZ

        43. 22'

          Goal

          KREZYMAN

        44. 22'

          There’s the equaliser and Cymru will feel against the run of play. A fine strike from the edge of the area by Krezyman beats Clark.

        45. 20'

          This has been a really impressive performance so far from Cymru. Plenty of positive play with pace in the final third that is causing problems for the Polish defence. A well-deserved lead at this point in the match.

        46. 14'

          A first real chance for Poland as captain Kamczyk’s shot is blocked before Padilla misses the target from the rebound.

        47. 📸 Hughes enjoyed that one.

        48. 12'

          A great flick from Hughes tests Seweryn yet again after some excellent work from Scarlett on the left.

        50. 📸 The line-up.

        51. 8'

          That could have been two but Teisar is denied a first Cymru goal by a good save from Seweryn. A very positive start from the home side.

        52. 7'

          Goal

          HUGHES Elise

        53. 5'

          GOAL! A great start for Cymru as Hughes capitalises on a mistake from goalkeeper Seweryn after she spilled Filbey’s effort into her path.

        54. 1'

          The anthems are complete and there’s a great atmosphere here at Rodney Parade as Cymru get the match underway.

        55. '

          Substitution

          HOLLAND Ceri replaces TEISAR Tianna

        56. '

          Substitution

          HILL Scarlett replaces SCARLETT Teagan

        57. '

          Substitution

          INGLE Sophie replaces GRIFFITHS Alice

        58. Olivia Clark is back in goal for Cymru this evening.

        61. Charlie Estcourt is flanked by Ffion Morgan and Elise Hughes as she prepares to make her 50th Cymru appearance this evening.

        64. TEAM NEWS

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has made nine changes to her starting line-up following the 2-1 defeat to Australia on Saturday, with an average age of under 24.

          Charlie Estcourt has been included in the first XI and will make her 50th senior appearance for her country, while Hayley Ladd captains the team on her 109th cap.

          Tianna Teisar came off the bench in the closing stages against Australia and makes her first senior start, and the teenager is joined by debutants Teagan Scarlett and Mia Ross in the starting line-up.

          Sophie Ingle, Angharad James and Ceri Holland are amongst the senior players named on the substitutes bench, together with the uncapped trio of Amy Richardson, Annie Wilding and goalkeeper Poppy Soper.

        65. The stage is set as Cymru prepare to take on Poland this evening.

        68. The Cymru squad enjoyed a pre-match walk in the October sun this morning ahead of their match against Poland at Rodney Parade.

        72. WILKINSON ON POLAND CHALLENGE

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media on Monday afternoon and discussed the challenge that Poland will provide for her squad when the two sides meet at Rodney Parade on Tuesday night.

          “Poland are a strong attacking unit,” said Wilkinson. “They are aggressive and they work together as a team well. “I’ve known Nina (Patalon – head coach) a long time and so I’m excited for the opportunity to match up against her.

          “Overall, they are a good test for us. I think it will be evenly matched in certain parts of the game, and I think it could be a bit of a chess match.

          “I think we can expect new debuts tomorrow, but equally we will have a very experienced and prepared team, and that’s pretty much going to be the theme for the rest of the year.

          “We’re in a transitional period and we have to open it up to new opportunities. The national team should never be easy to predict and we have to make sure that we keep working on our depth.”

        74. CAP MILESTONE FOR ESTCOURT

          Charlie Estcourt could make her 50th Cymru appearance on Tuesday night and head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke about her contribution to the team on Monday afternoon.

          “I think Charlie is an exceptional person first and foremost,” said Wilkinson. “She hasn’t had an easy time under me and not had any minutes, but the way she always puts the team firsts and supports her teammates is incredible.

          “She always asks hard questions, but she never causes disturbance. If she does win her 50th cap, it will be well earned.”

          Estcourt replaced teenage debutant Gwen Zimmerman at half-time against Australia on Saturday (below) and put in an assured performance.

          “Charlie has had two years of challenge at Reading. She had to take a huge leap because of the situation there, and she’s gone to the USA, which is far from home, and maybe hasn’t got the minutes that I and she would like.

          “That being said, she comes to Wales and is so supportive. She really is a team first type of person, and we know we can rely on her. You’ve seen what she did against Australia, and I was so confident putting her in because she trained so well all week.”

        76. LADD TO LEAD CYMRU AGAINST POLAND

          Hayley Ladd will captain Cymru on Tuesday night when they take on Poland at Rodney Parade (7.45pm).

          Ladd made her 108th senior international appearance against Australia on Saturday and sat down with the media on Monday afternoon.

          “It’s a really nice feeling to be leading the team out,” she explained. “I hope I can have a positive impact. We’ve got amazing young players coming through and I’m always really impressed when I come into camp and I see the girls’ application in training.

          “It doesn’t matter about their experience level or age, with the culture that we have here people really come into their own and I’m really looking forward to being part of the squad tomorrow and leading them out.”

        79. MEETING OF THE EURO DEBUTANTS

          Cymru and Poland both made history during the summer as qualification for EURO 2025 marked a first appearance at a major women’s tournament finals for both nations.

          Although both teams exited at the group stage, with Cymru losing to the Netherlands, France and England, Poland ended their first major tournament experience on a high with an impressive 3-2 win against Denmark following defeats to Germany and Sweden.

          On Friday night, Poland held the Netherlands to a 0-0 draw in Gdańsk while Cymru were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Australia in Cardiff the following day. Poland now head to Newport for Tuesday’s match without their star player and captain, Ewa Pajor, through injury.

          Pajor is the all-time leading goalscorer for Poland with 69 goals in 104 senior appearances for her country. Meanwhile, Cymru said an emotional goodbye to their all-time record appearance holder and goalscorer at the weekend as Jess Fishlock played her final international match.

          Nina Patalon is the head coach that guided Poland to the EURO finals in Switzerland (below) and the side are currently 26th in the FIFA World Rankings. Cymru are now in 32nd place.

          Tickets for the match between Cymru and Poland can be purchased here

        81. GET YOUR TICKETS

          Over 11,000 fans were in attendance as Cymru went down 2-1 to Australia in Cardiff on Saturday and tickets are still available for the match against Poland at Rodney Parade, Newport on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

          The crowd of 11,173 set a new record for a Cymru home women’s international friendly as the Red Wall came out to celebrate the careers of Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton. The match also saw Gwen Zimmerman, Scarlett Hill and Tianna Teisar make their senior debuts.

          Fishlock played her final international match in the defeat while teenager Mared Griffiths scored her first senior goal, and the upcoming match against Poland will offer fans another chance to get behind Rhian Wilkinson’s side ahead of the next qualifying campaign.

          Tickets for the match against Poland can be purchased from the FAW ticketing website.

        82. PREVIOUS MEETINGS

          There have been six previous meetings between the two nations with Cymru claiming one win and two draws.

          Cymru and Poland were drawn together in qualifying for the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The opening match in Zamość in October 1997 finished in a 2-2 draw, but Poland won the return match at Jenner Park, Barry 5-1 the following May.

          The two nations would meet again in the next campaign as they were both drawn in Group 5 for UEFA Women’s EURO 2001 qualifying. Poland claimed a 4-0 win at Port Talbot in the opening match in October 1999, but Cymru scored a 90th minute equaliser through Ayshea Martin to again draw 2-2 in Piekary Śląskie in May 2000 to claim a share of the points.

          The latest matches between Cymru and Poland took place at the Algarve Cup in March 2009. Jayne Ludlow and Gwennan Harries both scored twice before Helen Ward (below) completed the scoring in a 5-1 win. However, Poland would claim a 2-1 victory a few days later, with Jess Fishlock scoring the consolation goal for Cymru.

        84. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

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          Substitutes

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                Match Info

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                Date & Time

                Referee

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