THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Jaz Long
New Zealand Women 0-0 Wales Women
A mysterious fixture announcement on Twitter in May was the cause of much excitement amongst the women’s Red Wall… where would it be held? The Racecourse? Rodney Parade? Surely not the CCS for a friendly? Or, last – and very definitely least – Parc y Scarlets? As it turns out we were all wrong; Gemma Grainger had planned a warm weather camp at the Pinatar Arena in Spain, with a friendly match against World Cup co-hosts New Zealand at its conclusion.
Wal Goch y Menywod is no stranger to the Pinatar Arena; the Wales WNT played there in the Pinatar Cup in February this year, and it was a most enjoyable experience; three games in a little over a week in the warmth of Spain’s winter sun, with free admission and plastic beakers of cold beer readily available. With just the one game on offer this trip, not so many travelled, but those of us who did were treated to a strong starting Welsh eleven, with the only major omission being Jess Fishlock, who had been left out of the squad to allow her to concentrate on a somewhat trying season with her club side, OL Reign.
Friendlies are often a little unsatisfying from the fan’s point of view; the purpose of the game is primarily for the manager to try different tactics and combinations of personnel, with the result being of secondary concern, and this one proved little different in that respect. The first half was a fairly even, if largely unexciting; New Zealand produced just one chance of note; a fierce shot from Stott, requiring an acrobatic save from Laura O’Sullivan to tip the ball over the bar. Wales had been unlucky not to take the lead in the 5th minute when the effervescent Rachel Rowe made one of her trademark runs down the left, her cross into the box eluding Ceri Holland by just half a yard or so. An even better chance to score arrived in the 18th minute, in the form of a defence-splitting pass from the ever-excellent Sophie Ingle to Tash Harding, who dragged her shot agonisingly just wide of the far post.
If the first half was scrappy and disjointed, then the second was more of the same. Wales created no scoring opportunities of any note, and New Zealand could have won the game were it not for a goal line clearance from my Player of the Match, Razza Roberts, and an another fine save by Laura O’Sullivan from Hand’s goal-bound header. Of the substitutes, Lily Woodham and Megan Wynne’s contributions stood out, but overall it was a frustrating encounter, and the resulting 0-0 scoreline a fair result.
The FAW have provided excellent coverage of the camp on social media, and in doing so have provided a little insight into the group dynamic of this squad of players; relaxed, very much at ease with one another and confident in their own abilities. This bodes well for the real business in September, with an away fixture in Greece and the final group game – and the one that will surely prove decisive – at the CCS against Slovenia, with a place at the 2023 World Cup still a very real possibility. It is hoped that the women’s home attendance record will be broken again on that night, the FAW having already made clear their ambition to sell 10000 tickets for this match.
If you’re thinking of going to the Greece game, following @wmenywod on Twitter will put you in touch with travelling fans who will happily share any available information. We are a friendly bunch, if small in number still, and we actively welcome newcomers from all walks of life.
I hear it said a lot these days that we are living in a golden age of Welsh football; that’s certainly true, but it’s not just about the men. These remarkable women are on the verge of making some history of their own, and are absolutely deserving of your support. Come along to the Cardiff City Stadium on 6th September and help cheer them over the line to a first ever World Cup play off.