Six of the best for Wales, as they hammer Kosovo

Wales made it two wins from two in their European qualifying campaign, as they thrashed Kosovo 6-0 in Podujevo.

A quiet first half was brought to life with two brilliant Jess Fishlock assists, first setting up Rachel Rowe, and then Kayleigh Barton.

Then in the second half, Wales found their goalscoring groove, just like they did against Croatia. Rowe completed her brace, Ffion Morgan scored her first goal for Wales, while Elise Hughes managed to bag two herself in a dominant performance.

The win keeps Wales top of their group, having scored ten and conceded none in their first two games.

Rather surprisingly, Rhian Wilkinson elected to make four changes from Friday’s win over the Croats. Ella Powell, Rhiannon Roberts, Angharad James, and Elise Hughes came out of the eleven, with Charlie Estcourt, Josie Green, Ceri Holland, and Kayleigh Barton coming in.

Jess Fishlock captained the side on the occasion of her 150th cap.

Just like they did at the Racecourse on Friday night, Wales started brightly. Holland in particular looked dangerous moving into the channels and getting crosses in, but for all her inviting deliveries, no one in a red shirt was able to get on the end of them.

Kosovo, meanwhile, certainly carried more of an attacking threat compared to Croatia and they looked pacey on the counter, something that could sting Wales with how much their wingbacks were pressing up the field. But the three centre backs looked assured and positionally ready to snuff out any attack.

At times, it looked like the Welsh attack wasn’t as slick as it was in Wrexham, but on the half hour mark, that changed. A sweeping ball forward found Jess Fishlock, who executed an other-worldly chip over a defender to lay off Rachel Rowe, who passed the ball into the bottom corner. A magnificent assist equalled by a solid strike.

With the onus now on the Kosovans to get at Wales, there was an element of calm to Rhian Wilkinson’s side, a feeling that they could be more fluid and confident.

That feeling was rubber stamped with a second goal right on the stroke of half time. Worked out from the back, the ball was floated once again to the direction of Fishlock, and she was able to take a touch and feed through Kayleigh Barton with a defence splitting ball. In the clear, Barton showed great composure to find the bottom corner. The perfect end to a pretty perfect half for Wales.

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For all the good work Wales put in during the first half, Kosovo started the second half well. Controlling the ball and knocking it around the middle, they looked comfortable, but they couldn’t create anything of note.

It wasn’t long before Wales assumed control once more, and they made their dominance count with a third goal. Some great tiki-taka play on the edge of the area led to a one-two with Rowe and Angharad James, with the former’s curling effort on the edge of the box taking a slight deflection on its way through before nestling in the net.

Only two minutes had passed before Wales were celebrating a fourth goal. An overload on the left side of the pitch allowed Rowe to whip in a dangerous cross, and arriving on time at the far post was Ffion Morgan, who was able to tap home her first goal in Welsh colours.

There were plenty of chances to make it five as the second half wore on. Sophie Ingle missed a volley from close range, while Elise Hughes couldn’t get her header on target.

There was also a debut in the second half for Manchester United’s Mayzee Davies, who came on for Josie Green in the middle of the defence.

Things maybe were looking a little raggy towards the end as Kosovo pushed, but on the counter, Wales did find a fifth.

Holland made a superb darting run into the box and her cross was palmed out by the keeper. However, she could only palm it as far as Hughes, who had the simplest of tasks of putting the ball away.

And if the day couldn’t get any better, Hughes managed to score her second and Wales’ sixth in stoppage time. Fishlock’s ball into the box was headed across the box well by Holland, and the Crystal Palace striker took her time before cushioning the ball past Alma Demiri.

Six goals and another clean sheet for Wales, this time in the sun of Podujevo, and they strengthen their place at the top of the group.

Player of the Match: Rachel Rowe

There were so many players I could have chosen for this, but I’ve plumped for Rachel Rowe. Scoring two, assisting one, able to link up with the likes of Jess Fishlock and Lily Woodham so well, and I really feel under this system, she can go up to a whole new level.

Kosovo

Alma Demiri, Rrezona Ramadani, Viola Avduli, Blerta Smaili, Fatlinda Ramaj, Ereleta Memeti © (Valentina Limani 87’), Donjeta Halilaj (Venera Rexhi 74’), Lumbardha Misini (Blerta Shala 74’), Kaltrina Biqkaj, Elizabeta Ejupi (Modesta Uka 87’), Vanessa Hoti (Valentina Metaj 57’)

Unused subs: Besarta Leci, Florentina Kolgeci, Gresa Berisha, Valentina Limani, Marigone Tahiri, Feride Kastrati, Albulena Fejza, Egzona Zeka, Modesta Uka

Wales

Olivia Clark, Charlie Estcourt (Angharad James 46’), Josie Green (Mayzee Davies 77’), Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham (Ffion Morgan 46’), Sophie Ingle, Ceri Holland, Jess Fishlock ©, Kayleigh Barton (Elise Hughes 63’), Rachel Rowe (Rhiannon Roberts 64’)

Unused subs: Laura O’Sullivan, Soffia Kelly, Lois Joel, Mary McAteer, Ellen Jones, Ella Powell, Alice Griffiths

Goals: Rachel Rowe (30’, 60’), Kayleigh Barton (44’), Ffion Morgan (62’), Elise Hughes (85’, 90+3’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)