Women start preparations for Euro 2021 qualifiers
WALES Women have announced a series of matches for the first half of next year as they begin the build-up to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 qualifiers.
Wales will start the year with an away game against Italy on January 22 at a venue to be confirmed and will be looking to avenge the 3-0 defeat against the Azzurri in last year’s Cyprus Cup.
Manager Jayne Ludlow has decided the side will not take part in this year’s Cyprus Cup, instead opting for a warm weather training camp in Malaga, Spain, involving a match against the Republic of Ireland on February 28.
Ludlow’s side will then return to Wales for their first home game since breaking the home attendance against England in August at Rodney Parade.
Wales will take on the Czech Republic in a double-header on April 4 and April 7, an opposition which Wales last met in a goalless draw at the 2017 Cyprus Cup.
Venues for the home matches along with ticket information will be announced in due course.
“We’ve gone for a warm weather camp in February as I think it’ll help our development better than a minitournament,” said Ludlow.
“The opposition we’re facing over the next few months are tough but beatable. It’s a great chance to try different tactical options before going into the next campaign.”
The draw for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 qualifiers takes place in Nyon on February 22, 2019, with the finals held in England.
England receive a bye to the finals, while the remaining entrants will be drawn into nine groups of five or six.
The nine group winners and the three runners-up with the best record against the sides first, third, fourth and fifth in their section qualify directly. The other six runners-up will play off for the remaining three finals slots.
Qualifying matches will start in August and September next year.