Cymru squad respond to Sweden challenge

Sweden 1-1 Cymru

• Wilkinson named six changes to starting XI
• Middleton-Patel produces excellent goalkeeping display
• Players show incredible desire as Cain nets fantastic equaliser

Rhian Wilkinson challenged her squad to make the most of their opportunities as Cymru went into this match without a string of experienced players as Jess Fishlock, Ceri Holland and Laura O’Sullivan-Jones joined Kayleigh Barton and Sophie Ingle on the injury list.

Goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel was handed just her third senior appearance and impressed from the start as she pulled off a string of saves to frustrate a strong Swedish forward line. After her Player of the Match performance against Italy, 18-year old defender Mayzee Davies was also included in the starting line-up and again showed maturity beyond her years as she put in another solid performance in the opening half.

Esther Morgan made a welcome to the team and proved to be a valuable attacking threat for Cymru, while Carrie Jones also got behind the Swedish defence on occasion but the side could not create chances of any real quality. Sweden were dominant throughout the opening half with Fridolina Rolfo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Filippa Angeldahl all coming close, but the Cymru defence stood firm.

The link-up play between Blackstenius and Kaneryd continued to cause problems for Cymru following the re-start while Angeldahl tested Middleton-Patel from outside the area. Once again though, the young shot-stopper was equal to it. However, Sweden would take the lead on the hour mark after a period of sustained pressure as Magdalena Eriksson headed in from a corner.

Within 10 minutes though Cymru were level as Rachel Rowe threaded a perfect ball through the Swedish defence for Hannah Cain. The substitute had only been on the field a few minutes but rounded the keeper and finished in style to level the score. Sweden were clearly desperate not to drop points against Cymru for a second time, but with Middleton-Patel in absolutely inspired form, there was no way through. 

Substitute Ffion Morgan had a great chance to put Cymru ahead but was denied by goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, while at the other end Madelen Janogy could have won it for Sweden in the final moments but her header went narrowly wide before Amanda Ilestedt again brought the best out of Middleton-Patel. 

The final whistle confirmed another job well done for Wilkinson’s side, and another positive performance and result to take into the EURO finals this summer.