Wales end 2022 with a draw out in Pinatar

Wales rounded off their 2022 fixtures with a cagey 1-1 draw with Finland out in Pinatar.

Carrie Jones opened the scoring just after the half hour mark, after some dazzling play by Jess Fishlock. However, Finland found their equaliser midway through the second half; Eveliina Summanen converting a penalty, after Rhiannon Roberts handled the ball.

The opening stages of the game were tight and tetchy, and the game certainly felt and looked like a friendly.

While Wales were happy playing the possession football that we’ve become accustomed to under Gemma Grainger, the Finnish side possessed a physical advantage and they looked to hit on the break whenever possible.

The first chance came in the 24^th minute and if fell to Finland’s captain, Linda Sällström. She tried to loop the ball over Laura O’Sullivan, but the Cymru keeper did well to tip the ball over the bar.

Wales did look quiet and tired for most of the first half but found a burst of energy around the half hour mark to take the lead.

Jess Fishlock won the ball in midfield before driving into the channel. She skipped away from her defender and played a cross into the near post where Rachel Rowe flicked on to an incoming Carrie Jones at the far post, to tap home and claim her second goal for Wales.

The goal certainly perked Wales up and they had more purpose when they were on the ball, but couldn’t create any chances, and they went into the break with a one goal lead.

Similarly, to the first half, the second started off very quiet with chances at a premium.

However, Finland were given a golden opportunity to equalise, as they were awarded a penalty after Rhiannon Roberts handled the ball. Eveliina Summanen stepped and gave substitute keeper Liv Clark no chance, as the Fins restored parity.

Katariina Kosola went close for the Fins after the goal, but it narrowly went past the post, as Finland pushed for a winner after the goal.

Finland did look the better side in the second half, but their advances were thwarted by the Welsh defence, and 1-1 is how it finished.

Wales and Finland will meet again later next week in a behind closed doors friendly.

Player of the Match: Jess Fishlock

In a game where there was a lack of spark and quality, Fishlock provided it. The way she won the ball in midfield to set up the Welsh goal was brilliant, and once again proved just how vital she is to this team

Cymru

Laura O’Sullivan (GK) (Liv Clark, 62’), Rhiannon Roberts (Charlie Estcourt, 73’), Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham, Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James (Ffion Morgan, 62’), Jess Fishlock, Rachel Rowe, Carrie Jones (Meg Wynne, 73’), Kayleigh Green (Elise Hughes, 78’)

Unused Subs: Safia Middleton-Patel (GK), Maria Francis-Jones, Helen Ward, Anna Filbey, Chloe Bull, Chloe Williams, Georgia Walters

Goals: Carrie Jones (31’)

Yellow Cards: Lily Woodham (43’)

Finland

Anna Tamminen (GK), Emma Koivisto, Eva Nyström, Natalia Kuikka, T. Peltonen (6), Adelina Engman (Katariina Kosola, 74’), Eveliina Summanen, Ria Öling (Nora Heroum, 90’), Olga Ahtinen, Jutta Rantala (Sanni Franssi, 62’), Linda Sällström ©

Unused Subs:  Milla-Maj Majasaari (GK), Tinja-Riikka Korpela (GK), Nanne Ruuskanen, Juliette Kemppi, Emmi Siren, Heidi Kollanen, Nea Lehtola, Emma Peuhkurinen, Oona Siren, Joanna Tynnilä

Goals: Eveliina Summanen (70’ p)

Yellow Cards: Emma Koivisto (40’), Katariina Kosola (90’)