Cymru claim victory in Albania

Albania 0-1 Cymru

• Rhiannon Roberts nets the winner
• Sophie Ingle makes 150th appearance
• Czechia top group on goal difference

Rhiannon Roberts proved to be the hero for Cymru as her opening half goal earned her side a vital three points to keep the pressure on Czechia at the top of the group.

Rhian Wilkinson made two changes to the starting line-up that defeated Albania 4-0 in Wrexham on Tuesday night as Rachel Rowe and Hayley Ladd replaced Carrie Jones and Elise Hughes. Albania made just one change as Alma Hila came into the team.

Czechia moved clear of Cymru in Group B1 ahead of kick off with a 4-1 win away to Montenegro earlier in the day. An issue with the playing surface at the Elbasan Arena caused a slight delay to kick-off, but Cymru quickly settled into their stride and enjoyed long periods of possession while Albania looked to play on the counter-attack.

Megi Doci was a key player for Albania in Wrexham on Tuesday and hit the bar early shortly after Hannah Cain had tested goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu at the other end of the field. Cymru took a deserved lead on 28 minutes when Roberts opened the scoring as she capitalised on a cross into the area from Lily Woodham.

Sophie Ingle captained the side on her 150th senior international appearance and was denied a goal by the flag of the assistant referee just before half-time, while Mared Griffiths almost doubled the advantage in added time, but her effort went narrowly wide of Spahiu’s far post.

Cymru continued to ask questions of the Albanian defence with Mared Griffiths, Ffion Morgan and Ingle all going close to extending the lead. However, Albania remained dangerous on the counter, and it was Ilarja Zarka who struck the bar on the hour mark with a superb shot that had Safia Middleton-Patel beaten.

Although Cymru continued to enjoy the majority of possession, Albania kept themselves very much in the match as they pushed for an equaliser with every opportunity. Only some excellent defending ensured that Cymru would hold onto their slender advantage, with Middleton-Patel denying Fortesa Berisha with a fine save.

Albania continued to ask questions of the Cymru defence before the final whistle, but the visitors would hold on for what could prove to be a crucial three points in this qualifying campaign.