Cymru get the win in Albania

Albania 0-1 Cymru

• A Cymru corner goes in off the back of Albania’s Ezmiralda Franja
• Rhian Wilkinson’s team take the advantage back to Llanelli
• Albania will feel they could’ve got more from the game

Cymru leave Albania with the advantage in this tie following a 1-0 win, but this was a difficult night for Rhian Wilkinson’s side and there will be another tough test to come in the deciding return match next week.

The visitors made three changes from the side that defeated Czechia 3-1 back in June as Esther Morgan, Rachel Rowe and Elise Hughes came into the starting line-up. Hannah Cain, Cymru’s top goalscorer in the first phase of the qualifying campaign with six goals, was named on the bench.

Wilkinson’s side went into the match having won both previous matches against Albania in April this year, and dominated the early exchanges as they enjoyed plenty of possession without creating any clear chances on goal on what was a difficult surface at the Loro Boriçi Stadium.

Despite being in control of the match, there were some nervy moments before Cymru took the lead midway through the half. A misplaced pass from Angharad James almost allowed Fortesa Berisha to find herself through on goal, while goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel then had to be at her best to deny Ezmiralda Franja.

Cymru took the lead on 21 minutes when a corner from Lily Woodham was deflected past goalkeeper Rajmonda Spahiu, with Albania’s Arbiona Bajraktari appearing to have the last touch. Mared Griffiths was playing in an unfamiliar position on the right, but twice tested Spahiu during the opening half.

A physical contest saw Esther Morgan and Albania captain Megi Doçi involved in a constant battle, while Cymru could have doubled the lead when Rachel Rowe fired wide from outside the area. Middleton-Patel was called into action to save from Berisha in the final moments of the half, but Cymru were good value for their lead. 

However, it was Albania who looked the more likely to score after the restart with Fortesa Berisha having their best chance on 52 minutes. Following a save by Middleton-Patel, the forward then struck the post from the rebound. Qendresa Krasniqi would then have the ball in the net, but it was disallowed for offside in the build-up.

The introduction of Cain offered Cymru a different dynamic in attack, and on 70 minutes she capitalised on excellent ball from fellow substitute Scarlett Hill but could only drive her effort wide of the far post. With Albania pushing for an equaliser, Cymru depended on the counter-attacking pace of Cain and Carrie Jones.

The chances continued to fall for both sides in the final 10 minutes, with Hughes twice being denied by Spahiu while Cain again failed to hit the target with her second effort. At the other end, the impressive Fortesa Berisha should have done much better when she drilled her shot over the crossbar from close range.

Hughes and Cain both had further chances in the final exchanges but they were unable to add to their advantage as Olivia Francis came on for her senior debut, and Cymru will now take a one-goal lead into the 2nd leg on Tuesday night.