Wales begin Nations League with defeat to Iceland

A disjointed Wales attack began their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 defeat away to Iceland.

A first half header from Icelandic captain Glódís Viggósdóttir proved to be the difference. Wales dominated the ball, but chances in the final third were almost non-existent, and they will ponder what could have been tonight.

Gemma Grainger made two changes to the side that lost away to the USA last time out. Sophie Ingle and Jess Fishlock came in for Josie Green and Hannah Cain.

As we’ve become so accustomed to with watching Wales, they controlled possession early on, and Iceland backed off them. With a lot of the ball and a lot of space however, Wales couldn’t carve out any chances.

Iceland hardly came forward, but on the quarter of an hour mark they almost struck. A cross was palmed away by Olivia Clark straight to an unmarked Sandra Jessen at the back post. She hit the ball sweetly, but Rhiannon Roberts produced an unbelievable block to keep the scores level.

Wales thought they got away with one, but two minutes later, their luck ran out. A short corner routine led to Amanda Andradóttir crossing the ball to Bayern Munich’s Glódís Viggósdóttir at the near post who powered her header home. Good work from Iceland, but a sloppy goal to concede.

The game reverted to type after the opener, with Wales on the ball a lot, but when it got to the final third, there was a lack of desire. The final pass wasn’t right and shots from distance became the norm. Carrie Jones had the best chance, but she couldn’t connect with the ball to make it count.

Wales certainly had the better half, but once more, the attacking third was a thorn in their side.

Iceland came out well at the beginning of the second period. There seemed to be more of an impetus as they went forward, and Wales’ slack passing certainly aided them. Grainger’s side on the other hand looked lost, unable to fashion any kind of meaningful attack together.

The ponderous attack continued for Cymru into the second half. Often the journey to the edges of the final third were good, but when they got there, something was lacking, and it’s not the first time we’ve seen that under Grainger’s tenure. Ceri Holland went the closest, but her shot took a deflection, with the ball ending up well wide.

The energy levels intensified in the final stages, but nothing tested the Icelandic keeper, and it means Wales begin their Nations League campaign with a defeat.

Next up is a home game against Denmark. The match takes place on Tuesday September 26^th at Cardiff City Stadium. Kick-off is at 19:15.

Player of the Match – Rhiannon Roberts

Not many standouts for Wales but Roberts once again was solid. Would have been nice to see her down the wing, getting forward a little more, but defensively, couldn’t fault her at all.

Iceland

Telma Ívarsdóttir, Sandra Jessen, Glódís Viggósdóttir ©, Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir, Selma Magnúsdóttir, Diljá Zomers (Guðný Árnadóttir 61’), Karólína Vilhjálmsdóttir, Hlín Eiríksdóttir (Svava Guðmundsdóttir 85’), Hildur Antonsdóttir, Guðrún Arnadóttir, Amanda Andradóttir (Berglind Ágústsdóttir 74’)

Unused Subs: Sandra Sigurðardóttir, Fanney Birkisdóttir, Svava Guðmundsdóttir, Lára Pedersen, Arna Ásgrímsdóttir, Arna Eiríksdóttir, Agla Albertsdóttir, Sædís Heiðarsdóttir, Hafrún Halldórsdóttir

Goals: Glódís Viggósdóttir (18’)

Yellows: Hildur Antonsdóttir (68’), Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir (84’)

Wales

Olivia Clark, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham, Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Jess Fishlock (Ffion Morgan 76’), Ceri Holland, Carrie Jones (Elise Hughes 89’), Kayleigh Green (Rachel Rowe 61’)

Unused Subs: Laura O’Sullivan, Safia Middleton-Patel, Meg Wynne, Josie Green, Charlie Estcourt, Mary McAteer, Ella Powell, Anna Filbey, Esther Morgan

Yellows: Carrie Jones (59’)

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)