Wales made easy work of Greece as they won 5-0 at Parc y Scarlets in their World Cup qualifier, midfielder Ceri Holland scored twice.
Two goals for Ceri Holland and a goal each for Sophie Ingle, Kayleigh Green, and Natasha Harding saw Wales ease to a comfortable victory at Parc y Scarlets.
Wales got out of the traps quickly and went ahead in the seventh minute. Angharad James won the ball expertly well in midfield and slid the ball out wide to Kayleigh Green. Green’s cross narrowly missed Holland, but the ball was picked up by Fishlock, who held the ball up well and played in Ingle, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner.
In the build up to the match, Gemma Grainger and the squad highlighted the fact that Greece like to play out from the back and that it could be something they can exploit, and that is how the second goal came about. A poor pass from Vasiliki Giannaka let Kayleigh Green through, and she rounded the goalkeeper before scoring to put Wales 2-0.
Approaching the half hour mark Holland got her first goal. The ball came to her outside the area, and she tried a speculative effort. However, Papakonstantinou couldn’t palm it away with enough power, and she ended up deflecting the ball into her own net.
If her first goal was a bit fortunate, Holland’s second goal was anything but. Fishlock played it out wide to Holland, who cut in and when she reached the edge of the area produced a magnificent curling effort which ended up in the top corner.
The fifth and final goal was a real sign of the new Cymru under Grainger. Great midfield play to begin with, before James passed it out wide the flying wing-back Rhiannon Roberts. Roberts then put in a wicked cross and found the head of Harding who made it five.
While Wales could and should’ve had more, Grainger and co. will not have many complaints about the performance which sees them strengthen their grip in the Group I table.
Wales now travel to Guingamp to face leaders France in what will be a good test to see where this Wales squad are on their journey under Gemma Grainger.
Player of the Match: Ceri Holland
Holland was a clear standout tonight. Not only did she score two goals, but her strength and speed caused the Greek fullbacks problems all game.
Wales
Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Esther Morgan, Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd (Josie Green, 45’), Rhiannon Roberts, Sophie Ingle (C), Angharad James, Jess Fishlock (Charlie Estcourt, 80’), Natasha Harding (Megan Wynne, 74’), Ceri Holland (Carrie Jones, 64’), Kayleigh Green (Helen Ward, 74’)
Subs: Olivia Clark (GK), Poppy Soper (GK), Chloe Williams, Elise Hughes, Georgia Walters, Anna FIlbey, Ffion Morgan
Greece
Anthi Papakonstantinou (GK), Vasiliki Giannaka (Dimitra Karapetsa, 64’), Thenia Zerva (Tatiana Georgiou, 38’), Eleni Kakambouki (C) (Grigoria Pouliou, 73’), Danai-Eleni Sidira, Eleni Markou, Veatriki Sarri, Anastasia Spyridonidou (Ifigeneia Georgantzi, 45’), Athanasia Moraitou, Sofia Kongouli (Christina Kiamou, 73’), Maria Palama
Subs: Dimitra Giannakouli (GK), Panagiota Chatzicharistou (GK), Maria Kapnisi, Thomai Vardali, Nikoleta Pitsiou, Maria Paterna
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