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    Denmark vs. Cymru | 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – UWNL League Stage – Grp A4

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        2. Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to the media following the 1-0 defeat against Denmark in Odense and provided an update on defender Mayzee Davies who left the field in the opening minutes of the match.

          “Any player who gets an injury like that is frightened,” said Wilkinson. “I’d ask we just allow the medical team to their great job, let the swelling come down and fingers crossed it’s not as serious as it first appeared.”

          Wilkinson also offered her thoughts on Jess Fishlock’s effort that appeared to cross the line in the opening half. “I’m frustrated, for a competition of this stature this shouldn’t be happening.

          “My team worked hard and put everything on the line. You get a goal, you want your goal.”

        5. Ceri Holland – Seren y Gêm

        6. Match Summary

          A goal from Denmark captain Pernille Harder just after half-time proved to be the difference between the two teams in Odense this evening.

          Rhian Wilkinson made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Sweden last month knowing that a defeat to Denmark would mean relegation from League A. By half-time, the final whistle in Parma where Italy played out a 0-0 draw with Sweden confirmed that only a win would do.

          Cymru suffered the worst possible start as defender Mayzee Davies went down after just three minutes with a concerning knee injury and had to be replaced by Alice Griffiths, and Denmark capitalised on the defensive disruption by forcing a series of early corners.

          Harder showed her quality on seven minutes when she headed against the bar and goalkeeper Olivia Clark was called into action to make a double save from Stine Ballisager and Amalie Vangsgaard. Vangsgaard would also waste a golden chance later in the half from close range.

          Cymru settled into the match midway through the opening half and should have gone ahead on 20 minutes. Ceri Holland forced a save from Maja Bay Østergaard before Jess Fishlock followed-up and thought her effort had crossed the line. However, the officials decided otherwise and the game continued.

          Holland remained a key player for Cymru and linked-up well with Fishlock and Lily Woodham, with the latter coming close but her effort went over the bar on 38 minutes. Denmark finished the half strongly with Harder again forcing a block from Josie Green and another save from Clark before half-time.

          The decisive goal arrived on 48 minutes when Harder played her way through the Cymru defence before slotting the ball past Clark despite pressure from Gemma Evans. Cymru responded well to the setback, and Fishlock and Holland both had opportunities on goal before the hour mark.

          Denmark came close to increasing their lead on 71 minutes but Vangsgaard’s shot from a tight angle was blocked on the line by Hayley Ladd, while at the other end substitute Hannah Cain came close to equalising after making space for herself on the edge of the area but her shot went narrowly over the bar.

          Cymru finished the match very strongly but could not find a way through the Denmark defence. The final whistle confirmed relegation from League A, but Cymru can once again take positives from pushing one of Europe’s leading nations all the way, even though they didn’t get any reward for their efforts.

          The focus now turns to the challenge of Italy in Swansea on Tuesday evening to complete the group and bring the campaign to a close.

        7. Full-time verdict: Relegation from League A was confirmed for Cymru with a 1-0 defeat in Odense, but Rhian Wilkinson can take plenty of positives from this evening and the campaign as a whole ahead of the EURO finals. The injury to Mayzee Davies will be the immediate concern, while Cymru again created more than enough chances to take something from this match despite a nervy opening. Jess Fishlock’s effort after 20 minutes appeared to have crossed the line, but fine margins have decided results for Cymru throughout this Nations League campaign and tonight was no different. Pernille Harder’s goal edged the game for Denmark tonight, and the challenge now will be to get a result against Italy in Swansea on Tuesday and head to Switzerland on a high.

        8. 90' + 2'

          Substitution

          Mille Gejl replaces Cornelia Kramer

        9. 90'

          There will be at least four additional minutes for Cymru to find an equaliser. The side are finishing the match very strongly and Denmark will be happy to hear the final whistle.

        10. 83'

          Cymru are pushing for an equaliser but must remain organised and disciplined at the back. Time is running out now.

        11. 79'

          Substitution

          MORGAN Ffion Alys replaces GRIFFITHS Alice

        12. Ceri Holland has impressed for Cymru this evening

        13. 76'

          A chance for Cain but her effort just rises over the crossbar. Cymru are continuing to ask questions of this Denmark defence.

        14. 71'

          A big chance for Denmark as Vansgaard shoots from a tight angle and beats Clark, but Ladd was on the line to clear the ball.

        15. 71'

          Substitution

          Jóhanna Fossdalsá replaces Kathrine Møller Kühl

        16. Cymru captain Angharad James challenges Denmark’s Emma Snerle in midfield

        17. 62'

          A double-change from Rhian Wilkinson as Cain and Rowe are introduced. Cymru are still having plenty of the ball but desperately need a goal now.

        18. 62'

          Substitution

          ROWE Rachel replaces FISHLOCK Jessica Anne

        19. 62'

          Substitution

          CAIN Hannah replaces HUGHES Elise

        20. Gemma Evans in possession

        21. 57'

          A good chance for Holland but her shot from the edge of the area is saved by Østergaard. Denmark go straight up the other end and create a chance of their own but Holmgaard shoots wide. Cymru need to keep their concentration.

        22. 54'

          A decent chance for Cymru as Fishlock heads over from a superb cross from James. A good response from the visitors after going a goal behind.

        23. Josie Green plays the ball

        24. 48'

          Denmark take the lead through the influential Harder. The captain played her way through the Cymru defence before slotting the ball past Clark. This is a test for Rhian Wilkinson and her side now.

        25. 48'

          Goal

          Pernille Harder

        26. Jess Fishlock controls the ball under pressure from Isabella Obaze.

        27. 46'

          Cymru start the 2nd half with Jones introduced for Powell with Rhian Wilkinson knowing that only a win will do this evening.

        28. An important update from elsewhere in League A4 tonight. Italy and Sweden have played out a 0-0 draw with Sweden in Parma so Cymru must win to avoid relegation.

        29. Half-time verdict: An eventful evening in Odense began with a very concerning injury for Mayzee Davies who was forced off with a knee injury after just three minutes. Denmark enjoyed all of the early possession and chances following a series of corners, but Cymru grew into the match and created opportunities of their own. Jess Fishlock appeared to have given Cymru the lead on 26 minutes but the officials decided her effort did not cross the line, while Ceri Holland caused problems for the Danes throughout the half with her pace in attack. Denmark captain Pernille Harder remained a constant threat but could not find a way past Olivia Clark in the Cymru goal, and for all the chances at both ends of the field, no goals at the midway point.

        30. 44'

          A crucial block from Green to deny Harder from close range. Harder is then denied again from the resulting corner by a fine save from Clark. Relief for Cymru.

        31. A great run from Holland gives Woodham (below) a chance to shoot but her effort goes narrowly over the bar. Encouraging signs for Cymru.

        32. 36'

          Chances at both ends of the field as James’ effort is saved by Østergaard before Vangsgaard shoots high and wide for Denmark despite through on goal with only Clark to beat.

        33. 32'

          Yellow card

          Pernille Harder

        34. Did it cross the line?

        35. 31'

          A half-chance for Cymru but another positive as Green stretches to reach a cross from Holland but just can’t direct her header on target. Cymru having a decent and welcome spell of possession in the Denmark half.

        36. 30'

          Really good, positive play from Cymru as Fishlock and Holland combine on the left. A corner is the outcome.

        37. 26'

          An important save from Clark to deny Harder. The Danish captain is such a quality player and a hugely-influential figure in this side.

        38. The Red Wall in Odense. Cymru will need them in their corner tonight.

        39. 20'

          A great chance for Cymru as Holland’s shot is saved by Østergaard. Fishlock follows-up but her effort is cleared off the line, or was it over? The officials think otherwise.

        40. 14'

          Cymru enjoying some time on the ball as they try and settle things down. The early injury to Davies and a strong start from the Danes has made it a challenging night so far in Odense.

        41. Cymru pride and passion

        42. 10'

          Another stoppage as Clark receives treatment having made two important saves from Ballisager and Vangsgaard. An opportunity for Cymru regroup after a difficult start.

        43. 7'

          A huge chance for Denmark as Harder heads her effort against the crossbar. Cymru have already had to make a defensive change and are up against it in these opening exchanges.

        44. 6'

          Substitution

          GRIFFITHS Alice replaces DAVIES Mayzee

        45. 6'

          An early change for Cymru as Alice Griffiths replaces Davies.

        46. 3'

          Concern for Davies as she goes down on the edge of the area following a Denmark corner.

        47. 1'

          Denmark kick-off in Odense following two rousing national anthems. Cymru must avoid defeat this evening to have any chance of staying in League A.

        48. '

          Substitution

          JONES Carrie replaces POWELL Ella

        49. Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to BBC Sport Wales ahead of the match.

          “It’s about continuing to deliver performances in every game and doing what we do so well,” said Wilkinson.

          “We’ve got 23 players and part of what we need to do is adjust, adapt and no team can predict what we’re going to do next. We’ve put out a side to really challenge the Danes.”

        50. Jess Fishlock completes her pre-match preparation with kick-off in Odense fast approaching.

        53. The Cymru squad have arrived at the Odense Stadium

        54. Team news

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has made five changes to the starting line-up that drew 1-1 with Sweden last month.

          Olivia Clark reclaims her place in goal while Josie Green, Lily Woodham, Ceri Holland and Jess Fishlock all return to the side.

          Meanwhile, Safia Middleton-Patel, Esther Morgan, Carrie Jones and Rachel Rowe are named on the bench. Rhiannon Roberts has not been included in the squad.

        57. The Odense Stadium is ready to welcome Denmark and Cymru this evening for what is an important match in League A4. The Danes currently have a four point advantage over Cymru with two games remaining.

        59. The Cymru squad had a walk around Odense earlier today ahead of their Nations League match against Denmark this evening.

        61. Wilkinson believes Cymru have ‘every opportunity’

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson also spoke to the media on Thursday as her side prepare to take on Denmark in Odense this evening and highlighted the quality of the performances of her side heading into these final two fixtures.

          “This team is ready to win, let me tell you,” explained Wilkinson. “This is what these next two games are about; how do we show up and get a result? There’s no reason to hide from that, I’m excited by it.

          “We’re here not by fluke. And you don’t get four consistent performances in row by accident, if things go our way in front of their net, we have every opportunity in the next two games to make that history. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already.

          “This is where we want to be. This team now that understands they are right where they should be, among the best in Europe in those top nations, there are frequently big scores but these are tight margins.”

          Cymru have two points from their opening four games having twice held group leaders Sweden to 1-1 draws, and now complete the campaign against Denmark and Italy before heading to Switzerland for the EURO finals.

          “We want to keep getting better,” Wilkinson added. “This team is constantly looking for more and that’s who we want to be. We’ve taken it seriously from the start and we continue to. It’s been a great challenge for us, and it’s always going to be that fight to stay.

          “We may bounce back down, but it’s part of where we are in our growth. We want to stay in League A and will give everything we can to stay up here, but I’m not going to sacrifice my preparation for the Euros.”

        64. James confident on Cymru chances

          Cymru captain Angharad James spoke to the media in Odense on the eve of the Nations League match against Denmark and believes her team have every chance of achieving a positive result.

          “Every game is a challenging game against opposition who’ve been at Euros and World Cups in the past,” explained James. “We’re putting on performances that we can be proud of, but we still have room to be better – and we will be better.”

          Cymru take on Denmark in Odense on Friday before facing Italy in the final group match in Swansea on Tuesday. Cymru currently sit four points behind both teams in League A4.

          “If we get a result it puts in good stead going into Tuesday,” James added. “This is where we want to be. We want to play against the best teams in the world as often as we can to see how far we’ve come and, sometimes, how far we need to go.

          “It’s been a journey for us but it’s not over yet. We fully believe we can remain in League A.”

        66. Welcome to Denmark

          The Cymru squad arrived in Denmark on Wednesday ahead of their penultimate match of the Nations League campaign that will take place in Odense on Friday evening.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side are still looking for their first victory in League A4 but will take plenty of confidence from holding group leaders Sweden to two 1-1 draws while also impressing by creating chances in narrow defeats to Denmark and Italy.

          Cymru sit four points behind Denmark and Italy heading into the final two games of the campaign and can still avoid relegation. The two remaining fixtures will also complete Cymru’s preparation for the EURO finals that take place in Switzerland in July.

        68. Griffiths on EURO hopes

          Cymru midfielder Alice Griffiths also spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon and discussed her dream of being part of the squad that will head to Switzerland for the EURO finals in July.

          “It’s something that’s driving me everyday,” said Griffiths. “I’m giving it everything I can to try and make that squad, and whatever the outcome is, I know that I’ve giving it absolutely everything.

          “It would mean everything to me. I’ve been in and out of the squad and it hasn’t been plain sailing, but it would make all the hard work worth it. I’m kind of reluctant to let myself go there until I know that it’s happening.”

          Griffiths also spoke about the ambitions of the squad for the final two games of the current Nations League campaign as they prepare to take on Denmark and Italy.

          “We’re fighting with everything we’ve got to stay here because we know how important it is for future qualification,” she added. “The mentality has been the same throughout the campaign and that’s to compete with these top nations, but also to beat them.

          “We’re bottom which is not where we want to be, we know we need results to stay here and that’s the aim.”

        70. Roberts praise for Cymru defence

          Rhiannon Roberts sat down with the media on Tuesday afternoon and praised the defensive performances of her team in the current Nations League campaign ahead of the remaining two games against Denmark and Italy.

          “We’ve always had that really good foundation defensively,” explained Roberts. “When we went into League B, it gave us an opportunity to work on our attacking side. Now for the next couple of games, we want to try and implement a mix of the two.”

          Cymru have the joint-best defensive record in League A4 with leaders Sweden having conceded five goals in the opening four games, and despite sitting bottom of the group can still avoid relegation.

          “We’re going to have opportunities in front of goal in these two games and we have to take them,” Roberts added. “We’ll be working on that this week. Defensively, we’ve been really solid and conceded the fewest number of goals in the group.”

          Roberts also highlighted the contribution of teenage defender Mayzee Davies who has impressed during the current campaign. “I think Mayzee can go way over 100 caps, if not 200 caps,” said Roberts.

          “She’s fantastic, a really good player. She’s been excelling in training, and you can see she’s really coming out of her shell. Mayzee is just going to grow and grow, especially in this environment here. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing her in the future as well as now.”

        72. Meet the Ref

          Catarina Ferreira Campos will take charge of the match between Cymru and Denmark in Odense on Friday night.

          The 39-year old from Portugal recently made history when she became the first female to officiate a match in the Portuguese men’s Primeira Liga as she refereed the fixture between Casa Pia and Rio Ave in March this year.

          Back in June 2017, the Portuguese official took charge of the international friendly between Portugal and Cymru in Viseu. Jayne Ludlow was the head coach of Cymru at the time and her side claimed a 2-1 victory with goals from Hayley Ladd and Mel Fletcher.

          Andreia Sousa and Vanessa Gomes will be the assistant referees while Raquel Sofia Pereira Correia is the fourth official. All of the officials are from Portugal.

        74. As it stands

          Cymru currently sit bottom of Group A4 of the UEFA Women’s Nations League heading into the final two games of the campaign, but are only four points behind both Denmark and Italy.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side head to Odense on Friday to take on Denmark before hosting Italy in Swansea on Tuesday 3 June. Meanwhile, Italy take on group leaders Sweden in Parma on Friday before Denmark take on Sweden in Solna on the final day.

          The competitive nature of the group means that Cymru can still avoid relegation, and are the only team to take points off Sweden having drawn with them twice during the campaign.

        76. Recent meetings

          This will be the fifth match between Cymru and Denmark in less than five years with the two nations also facing each other in the last edition of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

          In April 2021, Denmark and Cymru played out a 1-1 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium in an international friendly. Pernille Harder opened the scoring for the visitors in the 1st half but Jess Fishlock equalised on the hour mark to earn Gemma Grainger’s side a very credible draw against strong opposition.

          The two teams would again meet in Cardiff in September 2023 in the Nations League but this time Denmark would come away with a convincing 5-1 victory with Fishlock again on target with what would only prove to be a consolation goal on a tough night for Cymru. Fishlock would also score in the return match in Viborg a month later as the Danes claimed a 2-1 win.

          Denmark returned to Cardiff last month in the current Nations League campaign and took an early lead through Signe Bruun. Ceri Holland levelled for Cymru before half-time (below), but Amalie Vangsgaard would win it for Denmark on 72 minutes. Despite the defeat, Rhian Wilkinson was pleased with the chances her side created ahead of the return match in Odense on Friday night.

        79. Squad announcement

          Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has announced her 26-player squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures against Denmark and Italy.

          The squad head to Odense for the penultimate match of the campaign against Denmark on 30 May before taking on Italy in the to complete League A4 at the Swansea.com Stadium on 3 June.

          “We are in such a fantastic group,” explained Wilkinson when announcing her squad. “The fact that everyone is still within touching distance is great. We are a few points off in fourth, but equally, it’s still within our grasp.

          “When you talk about pressure, it’s great, and it’s an incredible opportunity for us. I don’t think we would have expected this when we started, so we love this opportunity and we’ve always placed this pressure as excitement.”

        80. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

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                Referee

                Fourth Official

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