Ludlow aiming to build on opening victory

WALES head into the first home game of their Women’s Euro 2021 qualification campaign against Northern Ireland tonight (7.05pm), boosted by their 6-0 win against the Faroe Islands last week.

Newport’s Rodney Parade will play host to Jayne Ludlow’s side, who are bidding to earn a further three points after the perfect start to their new campaign, headlined by a hat-trick from Natasha Harding.

“It was pleasing for us to go ahead so early in the game, and then take control of the game,” Wales manager Ludlow said.

“There were opportunities for younger players, less-experienced players, to come in and show us that they understand how we work and the roles they have when they step on the pitch. In that sense, it was a pleasing 90 minutes for us.”

Northern Ireland head to Newport on the back of a 6-0 home defeat to World Cup quarter-finalists Norway on Friday in what was new manager Kenny Shiels’ first game in charge, a result which Ludlow suggests says more about Norway than the potential threat of Wales’ opponents tonight.

She said: “For us, it doesn’t change anything. Our prep going into this game is the same, irrelevant of the result on Friday.

“We’re looking forward to it in the sense that it’s a home nations game.

“Those games are enjoyable for staff and players. I’m sure it will be very competitive, but I hope we come out at the end of the day with three points.”

Ludlow has hinted at a few changes to her starting line-up, with all 22 players in the squad fit and available.

“They’re a different team. There are certain areas of our game that we executed really well against the Faroe Islands, but we’re actually coming up against a team that won’t give us the space to use in the same way as Faroes did, so our game plan is very different.”

On returning to Rodney Parade, which became Wales’ home ground throughout their last campaign, Ludlow added: “For us, it’s just nice playing at home. The pitch looks lovely, the environment suits us in regards to what we need, and the environment the fans will hopefully create for us is ideal.

Tickets are available through the venue.

■■ Wales vs Northern Ireland is being shown live on BBC Two Wales.