THE WORLD AT HER FEET
Sophie Ingle on the challenge of leading Wales Women to the World Cup finals for the first time in history
WELSH football is just one win away from making it to a first World Cup since 1958. Yes, you read that right. Chris Coleman’s team may have faltered in their bid to reach Russia 2018, making it 60 years of hurt.
But Jayne Ludlow ‘s side are on the cusp of qualifying for the Women’s World Cup in France next year. They just have the small matter of taking on England at home; and three euphoric points would see them sailing to France automatically.
Phil Neville’s Lionesses may be ranked the second-best team on the planet, with Ludlow’s Wales at an all-time high 29th spot according to the FIFA rankings.
But anyone who is sceptical or pessimistic about Wales’ chances of securing the dream win they need should take a look back to April, when the Lionesses were held to a 0-0 draw in their own backyard.
Wales have everything in their favour for the August 31 finale and they can expect a bumper crowd as interest grows and they hope to make home advantage tell.
You just sense something special is happening with this team, just as it was with Coleman’s side when they qualified for the Euros in France.
At the centre of everything is Wales skipper Sophie Ingle, who, with her teammates, is savouring every moment of this campaign following a 1-0 win over BosniaHerzegovina and then a thumping 3-0 win over Russia earlier this month.
Ingle, raised in Barry, has been involved in the Wales set-up since 2009 and last week signed to return to her former club Chelsea from Liverpool.
The 26-year-old Welsh skipper said: “The last few games, especially at home, and even the away game against England, shows how far we’ve come and how Welsh women’s football is growing.
“The more fans we can get at that England game the better, we want it to be a Welsh fan zone. The last game, I think they started singing the anthem [in the crowd]. That hit me, I was like I need to start focusing on the game again!
“Everyone is so passionate and they want the country to do so well.
“England is obviously going to be massive. Whether we win, draw or lose, I think we’ve got a chance of a play-off position.”
Goals from Kayleigh Green and Tash Harding prompted huge celebrations at Newport Stadium after Wales beat Russia to move to the World Cup brink – scenes that Ingle and Harding actually had to miss!
“I got called in for drug testing. It was a nightmare. Me and Tash did,” explained Ingle.
“We didn’t actually see any of the girls after the game. Everyone had gone home. It took about an hour and a half.
“It was a bit of a downer for us. I had to go back home because I was going t o Chelsea the next day.
“They haven’t done it for a while. There were two from each side. Our team doctor was there, and our physio came in as well.
“We were so glad to get the result, we were just sat there kind of exhausted.
“Obviously we’ve got a WhatsApp group. A lot of them were really emotional. “I think it’s just hit everyone now. We were watching the videos back, I think it just made everyone realise we’re inspiring a nation and we are doing it for us as well. It’s a nice feeling. I think we’ve just about come down.” As you’d expect, the team’s immediate reaction from goals and wins are a joy to watch, with manager Ludlow’s brilliant celebrations also attracting attention. “She’s a bit nuts, to be honest!” Ingle joked. “We watched the video, she’s going crazy on the touchline. “After games, she’s quite levelheaded. There’s always things to improve on and she’s quick to tell us that.” One of the trademark staples of the Wales women’s fixtures are the prematch team photos, which are anything but the norm. The Wales men’s team have previously been coy about who is behind their staged photos, but we asked Ingle why the women do it as well. “It’s normally Angharad [James]. We do plan it beforehand and then go on the pitch and do completely the opposite. Sometimes I’m late because I have to do the handshakes,” she replied.
“I don’t know what’s going on! I think it’s just a standout. Obviously the men’s side did it. We’re one nation, and it’s getting people talking about us.”
Growing up in Barry, Ingle played for a boys’ football team up until the age of around 12. She then took a year out from the sport when she was no longer permitted to play with boys.
“I played lots of sports, really, anything. I think football was always my main focus.
“I joined a team at the age of six and played in the school team. I played for a boys’ team up until the age of about 12. I had a year out because there were no girls’ teams where I lived. A year later, my old manager formed a girls’ team.”
Ingle has been living in Stafford while she’s been at Liverpool, and is set to move to the London area ahead of the new season with Chelsea.
“I really enjoyed my time at Liverpool. When Chelsea came in for me at the end of the season, I thought I’d be stupid to miss that opportunity.
“They are number one in England. They’ve got a team full of internationals, that can only benefit me as a player.”
Ingle tells a story of when she and goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan went to a supermarket ahead of a recent Wales game, which demonstrates how their success is beginning to catch on with the public.
“Myself and Laura popped to Tesco and this guy came up to her and said ‘Are you the Welsh goalkeeper?’ She was a bit shocked. But I wouldn’t class us as famous, no.”
Is there a bigger honour than putting on the captain’s armband for your country?
“It’s an honour and I love leading the girls out. We are all leaders, we’re all as important as each other.”
“Just because I wear the armband doesn’t mean I’m any better than anyone else.
“I think we’re building each game, we’ve got quite a small squad, and quite a young squad.