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Dominant Wales off to strong start

Wales 4 Croatia 0

Rhian Wilkinson began her reign as manager with a stunning victory in Wales’ opening match of the UEFA European Qualifiers against Croatia at the STōK Cae Ras in Wrexham.

The Red Wall created a fantastic atmosphere at the oldest international football stadium in the world and they were rewarded with four goals.

Any nerves were settled after just four minutes as Wales’ positive attitude brought them their first goal of the match when Rachel Rowe provided the assist to set Jessica Fishlock free in the box and she slotted the ball away with absolute composure.

Wilkinson’s team were in complete control and looked dangerous, with the home crowd expecting Wales to score again. They created the chances to do so but somehow Croatia kept the ball out of their net for the rest of the first half.

Wales started the second half in style and Croatia were unable to stop the piercing attack and Fishlock scored again after playing a one-two off the crossbar. Fishlock had chipped Croatia goalkeeper Doris Bačiċ but the ball bounced back off the bar and she tapped it over the line.

Less than a minute later it was 3-0 as Fishlock this time turned provider for Rachel Rowe, who scored after shimmying her way past a defender before a reverse shot into the goal.

Wales were on a roll and it was four soon after as Gemma Evans sent a searching long ball forward into the box where Angharad James volleyed home with an outstretched leg from close range and a tight angle. There could even have been a fifth but substitute Ceri Holland’s effort came back off the bar.

It’s Kosovo next for Wales with the European Qualifier taking place in on Tuesday (9 April) at the Zahir Pajaziti Stadium in Podujevo. The match kicks off at 1.00pm.

Wales: Olivia Clark, Lily Woodham, Gemma Evans, Sophie Ingle (sub Alice Griffiths 86mins), Rhiannon Roberts, Angharad James, Jessica Fishlock (sub Lois Joel 77mins), Rachel Rowe (sub Mary McAteer 65mins), Hayley Ladd, Elise Hughes (sub Ceri Holland 65mins), Ella Powell (sub Ffion Morgan 45mins). Subs not used:

Croatia: Doris Bacic, Ana Jelencic, Leonarda Balog, Kirstina Nevrkla (sub Fatjesa Gegollaj 85mins), Tea Krznaric, Petra Pezelj, Ruzia Krazinovic (sub Paula Vidovic 65mins), Izabela Lojna (sub Ana Maria Markovic 57mins), Tea Vracevic, Maria Kunstek (sub Janja Canjevac 85mins), Andrea Glibo (sub Ivana Slipcevic 65mins). Subs not used:

(faw.cymru)