Carrie Jones’ first international goal was enough to see Wales beat Greece 1-0, and set up a historic night in Cardiff on Tuesday.
It wasn’t a pretty affair, but roared on by a vocal Red Wall in Volos, Carrie Jones scrambled in a winner in the first half.
The result means Wales only need a point on Tuesday night against Slovenia at the Cardiff City Stadium to secure a playoff spot for the World Cup.
As many expected Wales started the game well and were happy to knock the ball around. Early chances came for Tash Harding and Ceri Holland, but nothing was testing Greek keeper Zoi Nasi.
The Greek gameplan was simple. Sit every player behind the ball and not commit many forward but when Wales made a mistake they would pounce, but that mistake was not forthcoming.
Instead, Wales pushed again. Holland did well to intercept a pass, but her curling effort was saved well by Nasi. From the resulting corner, Sophie Ingle nodded it to Harding at the back post, but her cross missed the feet of three Welsh players, and it was beginning to look like a frustrating half for Wales.
But those frustrations turned to jubilation in the 34th minute. A free kick from Rachel Rowe was drilled into the box onto the head of Gemma Evans. Evans found Carrie Jones, and while her first shot was blocked, she scrambled the ball into the bottom corner on her second attempt, to claim her first international goal.
Greece reacted well straight away and had their first opportunity after the opener. Maria Markou was played in behind and unleashed a good effort that looked like it would nestle in the far corner. Laura O’Sullivan, however, came out well and stuck out her leg to thwart the striker’s attempt.
The vast majority of the second half was played in the midfield. Wales pressing but not committing many forward while Greece couldn’t get much going attack wise. The best chance came from Angharad James, but her long-range effort was easily held by Nasi.
Greece had a period of attack for five minutes near the end of the match, but no clear chances came from that. Instead, Wales kept the ball well and made Greece work hard to regain possession.
The second half won’t live longer in the memory of any fan, but that won’t matter to Gemma Grainger, it’s job done and onto a historic night in Cardiff in front of a record breaking crowd.
Player of the Match: Rachel Rowe
Honourable mention to Carrie Jones but Rowe was superb tonight. The Reading full back worked hard all evening up the left wing and defended well when needed
Cymru
Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Carrie Jones, Tash Harding, Ceri Holland, Kayleigh Green (Helen Ward, 90’)
Unused Subs: Liv Clark (GK), Safia Middleton-Patel (GK), Lily Woodham, Josie Green, Jess Fishlock, Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Georgia Walters, Meg Wynne, Anna Filbey, Ffion Morgan
Goals: Carrie Jones (34’)
Yellow Cards: Rachel Rowe (38’), Angharad James (90’)
Greece
Zoi Nasi (GK), Maria Palama, Danai-Eleni Sidira (Tatiana Georgiou, 69’), Eirini Nefrou, Vasiliki Giannaka, Athanasia Moraitou, Eleni Kakambouki ©, Maria Mitkou, Sofia Kongouli (Anastasia Spyridonidou, 75’), Eleni Markou, Veatriki Sarri (Despoina Chatzinikolaou, 81’)
Unused Subs: Dimitra Giannakouli (GK), Anthi Papakonstantinou (GK), Christina Kiamou, Maria Kapnisi, Ioanna Goula, Grigoria Pouliou, Ifigeneia Georgantzi, Nikoleta Pitsiou, Maria Paterna
Yellow Cards: Eirini Nefrou (42’)
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