Wales 1-1 Denmark: Fishlock strike earns draw against well-outfitted Danes

Wales came from behind to secure a deserved draw against Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Denmark ace Pernille Harder, who was donning the armband for her country, led by example as she took the ball around Laura O’Sullivan before firing home the opener midway through the first half.

However, captain Jess Fishlock restored parity after the interval with a powerful effort from close range.

Gemma Grainger ends her first international period with a draw and a defeat to her name, however both matches against top opposition.

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Over the evening, both sides experienced spells of superiority which began with a strong start from the hosts.

Within an instant, Wales appeared on the front foot and put their opponents under the cosh with their intricate, quick-paced passing in the final third. In particular, Kayleigh Green imposed herself early on with her physical prowess and high-pressing which emerged as a challenging threat to contain for the Danish defences.

Though as the half grew on, so did Denmark’s influence. Steadily but surely, the visitors began to seize a grip on proceedings and were presented with numerous opportunities to open the scoring.

Sara Thrige saw a headed effort sail narrowly wide, whereas Stine Larsen and Emma Snearle also had chances as Denmark pushed higher up the field.

It would not take long for Denmark to embrace the rewards of their attacking application, though. In the 23rd minute, Harder broke the deadlock by taking the ball around O’Sullivan before coolly tapping home into an empty net.

Evidently brimming with heaps of confidence, Denmark continued to apply the pressure and left Wales chasing shadows with their relentless possession game and by inviting the press, they subsequently opened up space to exploit.

At that point, Lars Sorengaard’s formula was working a treat and the scoreline could well have been doubled merely a few minutes later had Harder connected with a Nicoline Sorensen cross.

But, as the break swiftly approached, you felt that Wales were just beginning to counter Denmark. A host of chances had been carved and, on the cusp of half time, Angharad James came the closest to levelling the scoring.

A sprinkle of neat, telepathic-like link up play provided James with a golden opportunity, however the midfielder was left pondering what could have been as her venomous effort was tipped around the post.

The opportunity for redemption had also came along with Rachel Rowe’s menacing delivery, which caused panic in the Denmark area but frustratingly, no one was able to get on the end.

After the break, Wales started the second half identically to how they had begun the first; high-octane, high pressing, and with a collective desire.

It was no surprise then, following a catalogue of threatening invitations, that Grainger’s side pegged the Danes back with just over half an hour to go.

Again, James had fired shots at goal to raise Danish worries- one such being a speculative effort from far out to call Lene Christensen into action, who rose high to tip the strike away from goal.

Skipper Jess Fishlock was the recipient of that all-important equaliser, interchanging with teammates and then latching on to a low drive from Natasha Harding, which she thumped home in emphatic style.

By all accounts, it was fully merited and the hunger displayed up to that point had not diminished, either.

Shortly after Fishlock engaged in a quick give-and-go with James and those plays had been the blueprint of Wales’ offensive endeavour. It was a good move that within itself was worthy of a goal, though Fishlock watched on in disappointment as her effort was dragged wide.

The match’s gears then took a switch as, once more, Denmark recaptured their mojo. Their undisputed quality began to shine through as they sprayed the ball across the field almost effortlessly, with that natural confidence swaying through the air.

Fishlock’s tame header into the reliable hands of Christensen was sandwiched between a period of Danish dominance, in which they soaked up all the possession and nullified Wales’ guile.

Blitzing attacker Nicoline Sorensen emerged as a tricky proposition all night long, not giving Wales a break down the left flank with her speed and jinky dribbling. Time and time again, the 39-capped winger danced past her marker with an aura of elegance, making such a feat look easy in the process.

Sorensen’s ingenuity failed to come to full fruition though, as her team were unable to craft a crucial break through in the game’s closing stages.

By then, the impression was illuminated that Wales were content for a draw. Denmark certainly had a variety of talent on show across the evening, but the Welsh backline stood firm and solid to deny them a route back into the ascendancy.

Ultimately, it paid off as the Red Dragons secured an impressive draw against the Danes, who rank 14th in the FIFA World Rankings.

In her pre-match press conference, new boss Grainger cited the fixture as a beneficial opening for her squad to test themselves, and they way they fared will only incite confidence heading into the World Cup Qualifiers.

Denmark, on the other hand, may have left the Cardiff City Stadium feeling a tad more disappointed, having been unable to chalk up two successive victories following a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland last week.

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Wales: Laura O’Sullivan, Rhiannon Roberts, Josie Green, Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe, Angharad James, Sophie Ingle, Natasha Harding, Jess Fishlock (C), Ceri Holland (Elise Hughes, 80′), Kayleigh Green

Denmark: Lene Christensen, Rikke Sevecke, Simone Boye, Katrine Veje (Sara Holmgaard, 81′), Sara Thrige, Emma Snerle (Kathrine Kuhl, 81′), Nicoline Sorensen, Stine Larsen (Olivia Holdt, 73′), Pernille Harder (C) (Caroline Moller, 73′), Nanna Christiansen (Sofie Svarva, 45′)

Goals: Pernille Harder 23′, Jess Fishlock 60′

Recap the action as-it-happened by reading through our live blog below:

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)