It has been a positive month for Cymru as Rhian Wilkinson’s senior squad claimed another impressive point against Sweden in the Nations League while the WU19 squad defied the odds to finish runners-up in their UEFA qualifying group in a dramatic finale.
Cymru WU19 head coach Nia Davies understood the size of the challenge ahead as her team prepared to take on France, the Republic of Ireland and Serbia in Round 2 of their UEFA qualifying campaign. Hosting the mini-tournament offered the side the chance to perform in front of friends, family and the Red Wall, and over 1,000 fans came out to support them across their three fixtures at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli.
With a place at the WU19 EURO Finals in Poland the reward for the group winners, Cymru went into the opening match against a strong France side with a belief in their own ability. Boosted by the experience of players like Mared Griffiths, Scarlett Hill and Olivia Francis who have been involved with the senior squad, Cymru stood up to the challenge of a team regarded as one of the best in Europe at this age group, but suffered a narrow yet credible 1-0 defeat.
Despite the loss, the performance of frustrating Europe’s elite for long periods provided a platform for the side to build on against the Republic of Ireland in the next match. With over 500 fans in attendance, it was Griffiths who showed her quality and class to score the only goal of the game to record an impressive 1-0 win. Heading into the final match against Serbia, Cymru were very much in the mix at both ends of the group standings, and fine margins would ultimately decide the outcome.
With a clear physical advantage over their opponents, Serbia took an early lead in the match, but Cymru continued to show the same determination that had pushed France and Ireland in the first two games. It was testament to Cymru’s spirit that three of Serbia’s players were booked for delaying the restart of play as they held onto their lead, and the additional six minutes of time at the end of the match would prove to be the difference.
With the final whistle imminent, Griffiths was brought down in the area after making a big impression from the bench. As Francis stepped-up to position the ball on the spot on 90+6 minutes, Cymru were sitting bottom of the group and facing relegation back to League A. Unfazed by the magnitude of her next action, Francis sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to equalise, sending Serbia to the bottom of the standings as Cymru sealed their place under group winners France.
This was a seismic achievement for Davies, her staff and her squad, and represented the same spirit and belief that has defined the senior squad since the appointment of Rhian Wilkinson just over a year ago. There is a collective identity across these Cymru teams that represents the character needed to defy the odds and push Europe’s best teams to the limit. These young players are developing in a culture built on confidence and belief, and they are reaping the rewards.
EURO 2025 preparations continue in the Nations League
Denmark were the next opponents for Cymru as the Nations League A campaign continued at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wilkinson’s side claimed their first point in their last match against Sweden in Wrexham, but goalscorer Kayleigh Barton was an injured absentee as the side returned to the capital. Despite conceding an early goal, Ceri Holland brought parity with a superb equaliser before half-time, but she would make headlines for different reasons as she was stretchered off before the final whistle.
The Danes claimed a 2-1 victory but concerns for Holland’s fitness with the EURO finals just a couple of months away were eased as the initial assessments confirmed the injury was not as bad as first feared. However, it did mean that Holland would miss the trip to Sweden a few days later along with Jess Fishlock who remained on the bench against Denmark having also missed her last club match. Cymru would face a tough challenge against Sweden with key players missing, but the negativity of the situation was quickly switched.
“We have lost a lot of experience within the group, but equally we talk about depth and this is why we do it,” said Wilkinson on the eve of the match. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m sure someone is going to really rise to the occasion because there is space to do that.” Once again, Wilkinson made a string of changes to the starting line-up, headlined by goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel making just her third senior appearance, Esther Morgan returning after two years away and teenager Mayzee Davies tasked with the responsibility of frustrating Sweden in her central defensive position.
Having dropped points against Cymru in Wrexham back in February, Sweden made a clear statement of intent with their starting line-up, boasting a frontline of Europe’s elite. Middleton-Patel was simply incredible on the night, playing with a confidence beyond both her years and her experience. Morgan was influential in creating opportunities from wide positions and Davies played with the same maturity that saw her named Player of the Match against Italy in the opening fixture of the campaign.
Sweden were dominant and eventually made their superiority count, but the resilience of this Cymru side again shone through as substitute Hannah Cain levelled just minutes after coming off the bench. A superb build-up from Cymru resulted in Rachel Rowe threading the ball through the Swedish defence, and Cain rounded the goalkeeper to score with a fine finish that rebounded off the far post for additional effect. Middleton-Patel subsequently ensured Cymru would again frustrate Sweden with a 1-1 draw.
Two teams, one identity. That is how the Cymru women’s national teams can reflect on April. With every change that Wilkinson makes to her starting line-up, another player puts themselves in contention to be an integral part of this team ahead of the EURO finals this summer. Mared Griffiths is certainly in that conversation, and her performances for the WU19 team over the last week have shown her true character in that she treated the mini-tournament as an opportunity and not a step down.
Cymru have just two more games before they head to Switzerland to take on the Netherlands, France and England on the biggest stage. There are no guarantees when it comes to team selection as there is a depth to this senior squad that Wilkinson has been brave enough to uncover against the best of the European game. It will ultimately cause her a headache when it comes to selecting the final 23, but it ensures that her 23 will be more than ready for the challenges ahead.
