Cymru succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat against Iceland on Friday evening at the Cardiff City Stadium in League A of the UEFA Nations League.
The defeat sees Cymru confirmed as relegated from League A of the competition with one game remaining against Germany on Tuesday night.
However, the home side started brightly on the night and posed a threat in the opening exchanges. Jess Fishlock and Rachel Rowe offered some early promise, but both could only fire their opening efforts wide of the target.
Gemma Grainger’s side continued to pose a regular threat to the Icelandic goal in the opening period, with some neat interplay almost setting Fishlock free on goal, only for the chance to be squandered due to a misplaced pass.
Despite their positive start, it was the opposition who broke the deadlock just on the cusp of the half hour mark. Sædis Heiŏarsdóttir’s cross from the left flank was headed into the danger area by Cymru defender Hayley Ladd before a ricochet saw Hildur Antonsdóttir beat Ladd to the ball and poke home to give Iceland the lead against the run of play.
After the break, the visitors strengthened their grip on the game. With 57 minutes on the clock, Hlín Eiríksdóttir looked destined to extend their lead, but in the process of firing an effort at goal, she was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Cymru made changes as they searched for an equaliser, with both Elise Hughes and Ffion Morgan entering the fray.
Grainger’s charges pressed for an equaliser, but their efforts were quashed when, with 12 minutes remaining, Dilja Zomers rocketed an effort past Clark in the Cymru goal to double Iceland’s advantage.
Elise Hughes nodded home a goal late in injury time, after a pinpoint cross from Lily Woodham on the left, but it was not to be for Cymru on a cold night in Cardiff.
The side now turn their attention to the clash against Germany at the Swansea.Com Stadium on Tuesday evening with a 6:30pm kick-off. Get your tickets by clicking the image below.
