Wales Eye Clean Sheet in World Cup Play-off Clash with Albania

Rhian Wilkinson has her sights set on a clean sheet as Wales gears up for their Women's World Cup play-off semi-final first leg against Albania this Friday. The match will take place at the Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder, with a return leg scheduled for next Tuesday in Llanelli. This is a pivotal moment for Wales, who recently made history by qualifying for Euro 2025, their first major women's tournament. Wales has faced Albania before, securing two victories in the World Cup qualifying group stage back in April. They won 4-0 at home and followed it up with a gritty 1-0 win away. However, the road to the World Cup has been tough for Wales, as they deal with a string of injuries that has sidelined key players. When asked what would constitute a successful first leg, Wilkinson was clear: "I'll stick with a clean sheet and a strong performance." She acknowledged the challenges of back-to-back play-offs, emphasizing the need for her team to perform well away before returning home. "We’ve had experiences with this and we continue to grow through those," she said. Wales is missing nine regular squad members, including influential players like Ceri Holland and Hayley Ladd, all due to injuries. The absence of these key figures means a younger, less experienced squad will take the field, with six players yet to earn their first cap. Wilkinson is confident in her team's ability to adapt, stating, "It would be silly for me to say that having nine injuries was predictable. This is football, and we adapt." Despite the challenges, she believes the depth of talent from training with younger players will pay dividends. "I’m able to put together a team of 23 that has great strength and experience," she noted. Among the uncapped players are goalkeepers Soffia Kelly and Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, along with Cadi Rodgers, Heidi Hills, Casi Gregson, and Olivia Francis. Wilkinson insists these players are ready for the high-stakes environment of the upcoming matches. "They’ve trained with great intensity and have been very involved off the pitch," she added, highlighting their dedication and preparation. Wales topped their qualifying group with a thrilling win over the Czech Republic, and their performances against Albania and Montenegro were impressive. Yet, their away form has been less convincing, with draws that could have easily turned into losses. Albania, currently ranked 68th in the world, sits 37 places below Wales, but Wilkinson is wary of their strengths. "In our second group game against them, they could have scored at least once or twice," she admitted, aware that every match is a battle. The stakes are high, as the winner will advance to a two-legged play-off final against either Norway or Romania in December. If Wales progresses, they know they will be the underdogs against Gemma Grainger's Norway side. Wilkinson is not focused on the complexities of the play-off structure, stating, "This is above my pay grade. We can't get stuck in what could be or what comes afterwards. We just need to focus on what's in front of us, one step at a time."