Four-midable Wales sweep aside Estonia
WALES sailed to a thumping 4-0 win over Estonia in their latest World Cup qualifier in front of a record home crowd last night.
Gemma Grainger’s side claimed three points against the Estonians and remain unbeaten in their bid to qualify for a first major tournament, the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Wales’ lively performance was punctuated by goals from Angharad James, record goal-scorer Helen Ward, vice-captain Natasha Harding and an extra-time goal from captain Sophie Ingle.
Wales’ zealous and skilful performance was watched by a record number of fans at a home women’s international, with 5,455 attending at Cardiff City Stadium on a mild October half-term evening.
It beats the record set by the 5,053 fans who attended Rodney Parade for a World Cup qualifier against England in 2018.
Fresh from a 1-1 draw away to Slovenia last week, the hosts dominated possession against former Wales boss Jarmo Matikainen’s team after beating them 1-0 away in September.
Wales, having adopted a more attack-focused gameplan under manager Grainger, came out of the blocks firing.
Ingle was among the first to get her chance on four minutes, while Wales’ most-capped footballer Jess Fishlock’s cross close to goal minutes later was well-blocked, before another Ingle chance went amiss when a left-footed shot was saved.
Ward was the next cab off the rank to try and get the ball in the net but couldn’t connect, while Rhiannon Roberts’ header from the box went wide and an attempt from Harding was just wide.
On 27 minutes, a through ball from Ingle to James resulted in Wales’ first goal of the evening thanks to the North Carolina Courage star’s right-footed shot from the centre of the box.
Ward then scored her 44th international goal minutes into the second 45, taking a rightfooted shot from the centre of the box after a Rhiannon Roberts through ball. Harding enjoyed
close chance moments later but eventually made it 3-0 on 52 minutes with a leftfooted close-range effort to get the ball over the line.
Ward left the field on 60 minutes for Hannah Cain to make her debut, before Manchester United’s Carrie Jones - who deserves a mention for impressive pace and footwork - produced a stunning solo run at goal which sadly wasn’t to be before being substituted for Lily Woodham. Ceri Holland also made way for Anna Filbey.
After plenty of chances in the final quarter, Ingle capped a memorable night off with a silky smooth goal from the centre of the box to make it 4-0.
Wales’ defence was rarely tested, so much so that goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan - substituted in the dying minutes of the game for Olivia Clark - would have been forgiven for thinking she had missed an invitation to the party at the other end of the field.
Wales are next in World Cup qualifying action against Greece on Friday, November 26, at Parc y Scarlets before travelling to face France four days later.