Wales moved to the top of Group One in FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying after beating Bosnia & Herzegovina at The Liberty Stadium.
Yeovil Town’s Kayleigh Green scored the only goal as Wales made it four wins from a possible six, going into their next game with third-placed Russia, at Newport Stadium.
The game started at a fast pace, with the Bosnians testing early on. Milena Nikolic tried to find Selma Kapetanovic but Natasha Harding made a crucial sliding tackle.
This eager start from the away side continued as they took control of the pace in the opening half hour. The Wales defence who have yet to concede in Qualifying was holding firm as skipper Sophie Ingle and centre-back partner Loren Dykes dealt with the threat of the Bosnian crosses.
O’Sullivan was forced to come off her line to punch away a number of crosses. For Wales, their shots at Hasanbegovic were mostly shots from distance.
Wales attempted a practised set piece as Rachel Rowe found Rhiannon Roberts but her header was straight at the keeper.
Five minutes before the break Rhiannon Roberts found Green with a searching cross but the forward couldn’t direct her header at goal. Just before the referee blew for half-time, Fishlock went on a darting run and went close, but her low shot was saved by Hasanbegović.
It was Wales who were dictating the play in the early stages of the second half, with all the possession and a number of set pieces.
Wales were awarded a penalty when Helen Ward was brought down by Alisa Spahić. Ward stepped forward but she was denied by from the spot as the keeper saved her hard-driven penalty.
In the 62nd minute, Kayleigh Green had the goals opening game, with a close-range finish. The ball fell to her in fortuitous fashion as the Bosnia defender flicked the ball back to the feet of Green she tucked the ball home past Hasanbegovic.
Fishlock decided to drop deeper in the second half, allowing the Wales players to go further forward. She had a free-kick on the far edge of the box, forcing Envera Hasanbegović to come out and punch it away.
Alma Kamerić earned her side a rare chance after winning a corner, Lidija Kuliš put it in but it escaped a white, as Wales continued to defend their lead.
Jess Fishlock earned a free-kick after she was tripped up by a Bosnian defender. She initially struck her shot into the wall before blazing it over the bar.
Angharad James found Rhiannon Roberts with a delicate cross and almost doubled Wales lead but her effort was saved by the Bosnian keeper who saved it at point-blank range.
Wales began trying to run down the clock as they held the ball into the corner. Ludlow then made her first substitution late on with Helen Ward being replaced by Nadia Lawrence.
Bosnia was in search of an equaliser in stoppage time as a number of free-kicks were drifted into the box, Valentina Šakotić tried an effort from distance but it sailed over the bar.
Wales
O’Sullivan(GK), Dykes, Ingle(C), Roberts, Harding, James, K. Green, Fishlock, Rowe, Ladd
Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell
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