Wales vs. Iceland preview: attacking headache and Emma Hayes

Wales are treating their upcoming Nations League game against Iceland as a playoff, as they prepare for a crucial night in Cardiff.

The task is simple for Wales. Beat Iceland by two goals, and we leapfrog them in the table, dramatically increasing our chances of staying in League A and gain a better route to potential qualification to Euro 2025.

There hasn’t been any pressure on these Nations League games so far, according to the camp, but Angharad James and the squad know they have a great chance to pull something special off on Friday night.

“Of course, there’s pressure on us. We know we have to win the game by two goals. It’s a good challenge for the group because League A is a very difficult league. But these are the games we want to play in.

“We want the challenge of playing teams that are higher than us in the rankings. We’re looking forward to the game, but we’re all confident inside the camp and can’t wait to get out there with the Red Wall behind us.”

The game away in Reykjavik was one full of frustration for Wales. Despite controlling much of the game and having numerous chances, it was Iceland who prevailed 1-0.

Despite the narrow defeat last time out, James is confident the team can go one better back on home soil.

“When we look back on that game, we had so much possession in the game. We had so much control too, but we know we can play better than what we did out there and build on our performance.

“The way we played last time, we’re all confident that, if we perform like we know we can, and do the work that we need to do, we can get the result that we need.”

What makes life easier for Cymru tomorrow night is the absence of winger Sveindís Jónsdóttir.

A Bundesliga winner with Wolfsburg, the 22-year-old hasn’t been selected due to an ongoing injury.

Gemma Grainger admits that it makes Wales’ life easier not having Jónsdóttir to worry about, but they know they’ll be in for a tough game regardless.

“This time we know ahead of the game that she isn’t playing; we didn’t know until right before kick-off in Iceland that she wasn’t playing, and we had prepared for her to have been playing that game.

“She is a great player, a top player, and with her out of their squad, it does make them weaker, but it doesn’t change our approach too much.

“I expect the team from September to be pretty similar to the team they put out tomorrow.”

In-form attack

If Wales are to score two goals, they will need their forwards to be in tip-top condition, and luckily for us, the strikers are in great form.

If they can bring that form to the national team, then goals could really be on the menu tomorrow night, and Grainger is delighted to have such a selection headache.

“It does give me a good selection headache. I’ve said before about our depth. We’ve got goal scorers who are playing well, which is a great start for us.

“When we talk about starters and finishers, we know we have players in both camps who can score goals for us. It’s a good selection headache and I want to welcome these headaches, because it hasn’t always been the case here, but it definitely is now.”

For captain Sophie Ingle, knowing strikers are in good form give the rest of the team confidence heading into key matches.

“Day one when we come into camp, I’m excited to see those girls who are doing well at club level. I spoke to Elise and she’s Championship top scorer and she’s just been nominated for Player of the Month.

“It’s exciting to see a Welsh player getting that recognition at the club she’s at, and it’s great to see those girls working hard for their clubs and coming into the Welsh camp raring to go.”

Emma Hayes legacy

Away from the national team, and it’s the first time that Sophie Ingle has spoken to the press since Chelsea manager Emma Hayes announced that she’d be leaving the club.

You only need to listen to Ingle speak about Hayes to realise just how big a loss she will be but is also immensely proud of what her manager has built in West London.

“We got told of her decision the day that everyone else got told. She told us straight after that Aston Villa game, because she was going to go out and announce it after that.

“Emma has been amazing for me. I was there the first time round when she came in, and what I’ve seen her change at the club over the years is phenomenal. People from the outside don’t really realise all the hard work that she’s put into the club to make it what it is now.

“You see the trophies which is great, but all the foundations, the staff members, everything that she’s built is a credit to her.”

Up in the north of the capital, one person who is trying to cement a legacy like Hayes has is Robert Vilahamn.

The new Tottenham manager has settled in well to life in the WSL, as Spurs have only suffered two defeats so far this season, those coming against Chelsea and Manchester City.

James gave a lot of credit to the Fin, and believed the best is yet to come.

“Robert gives us so much confidence as a group to just play football. He wants us to play in every situation that we can, especially last weekend. I know everything wasn’t great, but he still tells us he wants us to play that way.

“We’re building, we’re playing with a new style, and it takes time to build that. We’ve had a good start to the season, only losing two games out of seven.

“It’s good, but we know it could be so much better, and the more time we have to work together on the field, we will build on our performances.”

(Featured Image: FAW Photography)