Wales manager Gemma Grainger says her team being under pressure is a good thing, after their 5-1 defeat to Germany.
The heavy loss means Wales remain rooted to the bottom of their League A table, and all eyes are turning to a must win game at home to Iceland in December.
Reaction from the Red Wall has been mixed to say the least, with some criticism heading Grainger’s way. However, the manager is defiant, and says these results are all part of the learning process.
“It’s a privilege to be in League A, and the pressure is a privilege. These girls deserve to be in League A. We have no right to be here, but we are because of how well we have done.
“We see this as the best prep to qualify for a European Championships, and that’s our mentality. It’s strong and it will always be strong because we have the perspective and plan of what we want to do.
“I don’t want to play easy games and then stand here and say how brilliant we are. I want to stand here and say we are learning what we need to in order to become the best team we can be.”
The result yesterday means it’s now back-to-back 5-1 losses for Wales. Cymru were level at one stage in the game, but fell to pieces in the second half.
“That was tough, especially the penalty, that was tough to take. I’m disappointed that we conceded the second goal so early into the second half, but I think this performance is completely different to the last game.
“I know the results are identical, but the performances are different. There’s so many positives to take from this game.”
The game at the ProZero Arena, home of Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, saw over 20,000 in attendance.
The vast majority of this Wales side aren’t used to these high attendances and a big game atmosphere, but Grainger believes it will do them so much good in the long run.
“A lot of our players haven’t been exposed to nights like these, and we want to change that. It’s about turning up in these games and it’s about big games feeling normal, and there are a lot of players in this team who aren’t used to that.
“When the players were walking around the pitch, they’re looking at the screens and the crowd, it’s not a normal thing, but it will be by this time next year.”
Clark heroics
The standout player for Wales last night was undoubtedly Olivia Clark.
Without her in the net, Wales would have conceded a lot more, and while the result didn’t go her way, Clark was pleased with her performance.
“It was a tough test playing against Germany because they are one of the best teams in the world. The scoreline is very frustrating but I’m proud of our performance overall.
“We were in the game for 80 minutes all the way up until the penalty. We can take things from this game, but it’s just frustrating at the end of the day.
“The last two results doesn’t really reflect our level of performance in both games. The girls put in a great shift tonight, but going into Denmark, we’ve played them already and we know what to expect.”
It certainly looks like Clark has that number one shirt in her hands, having displaced the experienced Laura O’Sullivan. Clark doesn’t believe the shirt is set in stone and was full of praise to her fellow keeper.
“Laura has been great, and I can’t speak highly enough of her. I like to think that the number one position is never set in stone, it’s always up for grabs and training has been as competitive as ever this week.
“Off the pitch, Laura is great with me. After a game, she’s always the first one to come over and always checks on me if I’m having a tough time. I’ve known her for so long now having been on camp ever since I was 16 and I’m 22 now. She’s like a mum to me on camp and we have a great friendship.”
Last night’s game caps off a brilliant week for Clark, having made her WSL debut for Bristol City against Arsenal last Sunday.
The Robins’ shot stopper is hoping to keep growing after another great display.
“I’m just trying to take everything in at the moment. I’m enjoying every minute. Sunday with Bristol was great, and then tonight, despite the scoreline, it was a great experience. It’s important that we take these experiences and learn from them.”
McAteer delight
Another good moment from last night’s game was the senior debut of forward Mary McAteer.
McAteer came on in the dying embers of the game, and while she may not have made the impact she would have wanted, was still delighted to be on the pitch against the two-time world champions.
“Germany are an outstanding team and to make my debut against them was a real honour and it’s a really proud moment for me and my family. It’s something I’ve been working hard on to try and achieve.
“Obviously, it’s great on a personal note, but as a team, it was unfortunate. It’s 2-1 until the 80th minute and then we lose a couple of goals, and it was a frustrating end for us.”
The striker has been involved in many camps now before making her debut, and she’s enjoying spending time in the senior environment.
“Coming into this environment has been great. Gemma has taken me under her wing and the rest of the girls are great. I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far, and I hope this is just the first of many.
“All of the girls have been brilliant. The amount of experience they have and what they can give me, I just want to take in as much as I can. I want to learn all about their little traits and their skills and try to take that into my game.”
After a solid end to the season with the now defunct Coventry United and having made a good start to life at Sunderland, things are certainly looking bright for McAteer, who believes it could be a breakout season for herself.
“I’m hoping it could be. I’m still learning, I’m still young, I’m only 19. I’m just enjoying my football at the moment and taking every game as it comes, whether that be for club or for country. I want to take all of the opportunities that I can right now and grow as much as I can.”
The German view
On the other side of the coin, the Germans put in a great performance against Wales.
Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger certainly didn’t have a lot to do in the game and was able to watch a terrific performance.
This was their first game under interim manager Horst Hrubesch, and the most notable advantage they had was with their crossing game, something Berger said, the side have been working on.
“The crossing instruction all comes down to the new coach’s style of play. We have top players in the key positions, and crossing is the quickest way to score.
“If you play a team like Wales who like to sit in a low block sometimes and have a lot of bodies behind the ball, then that’s the best way to score against them.”
While the scoreline may not suggest it, Berger believed the game was certainly a tough one. The Chelsea star maintains Wales are a top team, and they were just outdone by the Germans’ clinical nature.
“Wales is a really good team. They have a lot of good individual players and I think, most of the time, they play some really nice football.
“I think we just had a little bit more ruthlessness about us today, but we always knew today was going to be tough and it would be difficult for us to try and break them down.”
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