A Jess Fishlock wonder goal was enough to see Wales through to the next round of the World Cup playoffs, as they defeated Bosnia 1-0.
In front of a record crowd of 15,200, a lot of evening was filled with frustration, as Wales had four goals ruled out for offside.
But, yet again, it was Fishlock who stepped up when it mattered most, by producing a mesmeric volley to send Wales through.
Wales will now face Switzerland on Tuesday night, as they attempt to book their place in the World Cup next year.
Against Slovenia last month, there was an air of caution from Wales, this wasn’t the case this time. They flew out the traps and had chances from the off.
A clever free-kick routine from Angharad James found its way to Gemma Evans. An inventive flick on from Evans found the run of Rachel Rowe.
Rowe’s cross found Jess Fishlock, but she couldn’t power effort to either side of Almina Hodžić’s goal, and the Bosnian saved well.
The talk going into this game were that Bosnia were a very favourable opposition for us, due to the fact that they were the lowest ranked qualifiers. However, they sent a warning ten minutes in.
A corner found its way to Marija Aleksić, and her volley was struck sweetly and looked destined for the bottom corner. Laura O’Sullivan had other ideas, and she stuck out a leg to deny the midfielder.
Wales weren’t going to let that opportunity shake them out of their rhythm, and more chances followed.
Ceri Holland’s header was straight at Hodžić, before Kayleigh Green had the ball in the net, but it was correctly ruled out for offside.
This was a Wales side determined to put on a show after a below-par performance against the last record crowd against Slovenia.
Holland went close again, but her effort was tipped onto the bar, before James had a volley three minutes before half time, but the bar thwarted her effort again.
Gemma Grainger would’ve been happy with her side’s first half performance and the chances they created, but her, the crowd and the nation were begging for a goal in the second half.
What Wales wouldn’t have prepared for is if they caused their own downfall, and that almost happened ten minutes into the second half.
There seemed to a momentary lapse of communication between Hayley Ladd and O’Sullivan, almost resulting in the Manchester United player to head the ball into her own net, but she came back to clear the ball just before it crossed the line.
Green had the ball in the net once again in the 65th minute, but for the second time on the night, the offside flag denied her of glory.
There was then a lull in the game with neither Wales nor Bosnia creating anything of note.
It was Holland who sparked the crowd back into life. Her cross was whipped low into the box, and it needed Hodžić to be at full stretch to tip it round the post.
Then a moment of controversy seven minutes from time. A cross from Rowe found sub Ffion Morgan who fired in from close range, but she was adjudged offside.
Replays did show that the final touch came off a Bosnian player’s head, meaning that Morgan would be onside. However, after a VAR review the goal was denied, to the surprise of many.
To add insult to injury, Fishlock had the ball in the net two minutes later, but she was offside. Four goals scored, all four ruled out for offside, and just like that, the match went into extra time.
Extra time did not offer much in terms of chances, Wales pushed but no clear chances emerged.
But sometimes, if you have a superstar, they can do super things, and my goodness Jess Fishlock did just that at the end of the first half of extra time.
A lofted free kick from Rowe found the oncoming run of Fishlock, who timed her run well, and she executed an exquisite volley into the far corner, to send players, coaches, and fans into a feeling of ecstasy.
The goal of course meant that Bosnia had to come out and play, something that they hadn’t done all game.
Wales instead penned them in their own half and saw the game out professionally and will now travel to Zurich to face Switzerland.
Player of the Match: Jess Fishlock
I’ve run out of things to say about her. Every time, no matter the opponent or the occasion, she delivers and the joy she has playing for this country can be felt by everyone. A living legend.
Cymru
Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Jess Fishlock (Helen Ward, 115’), Ceri Holland, Kayleigh Green (Meg Wynne, 120’), Carrie Jones (Ffion Morgan, 81’)
Unused Subs: Liv Clark (GK), Safia Middleton-Patel (GK), Lily Woodham, Josie Green, Elise Hughes, Charlie Estcourt, Anna Filbey, Chloe Bull, Georgia Walters
Goals: Jess Fishlock (105’)
Yellow Cards: Rachel Rowe (69’)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Almina Hodžić (GK), Gloria Slišković (Ena Taslidža, 81’), Melisa Hasanbegović ©, Marija Milinković, Selma Kapetanovic (Merjema Medić, 70’), Marija Aleksić, Zerina Piskić (Amina Mujanović, 113’), Ena Šabanagić, Dajana Spasojevic (Andrea Grebenar, 105’), Andrea Gavrić (Dejana Marković, 113’), Minela Gačanica (Maja Jelčić, 70’)
Unused Subs: Envera Hasanbegović (GK), Indira Faković (GK), Alma Kamerić, Đula Velagić, Alma Kranjić
Yellow Cards: Ena Šabanagić (69’), Andrea Gavrić (90’)
Leave a Reply