Ukraine 2-2 Wales: Wales denied victory in 98th minute

Wales suffered stoppage time heartbreak in Poznan, as they laboured to a 2-2 draw with Ukraine.

Having gone behind in the first half, Wales rallied back in the second through a Kayleigh Barton penalty and a stunning 30-yard strike from Jess Fishlock. But in the 98^th minute, Nicole Kozlova produced a jaw dropping diving header into the roof of the net to deny Wales their third win of the campaign.

The result means Wales drop down to second in Group B4, and are now one point behind leaders Croatia, who defeated Kosovo this evening.

Rhian Wilkinson elected to make four changes from the side that drew with Ukraine last Friday. Lois Joel, Carrie Jones, Kayleigh Barton and Rachel Rowe come in to replace Lily Woodham, Rhiannon Roberts, Mary McAteer, and Ffion Morgan.

After a slow start in the reverse fixture in Llanelli, Wales started incredibly quickly out in Poland.

A minute in, Gemma Evans sent a searching ball over the top which found Rachel Rowe in her stride. Her first-time shot was well saved, but the rebound fell straight to Jess Fishlock, who took aim, but fired wide.

Seconds later and once again Wales were threatening. Sophie Ingle saw her shot deflect over the bar, and from the resulting corner, Kayleigh Barton wriggled free from her marker, but missed the target with a free header.

As the half wore on, Barton was finding the ball a lot more. Often cutting an isolated figure at the top end of the pitch, she used her strength well to fend off defenders. One attempt saw her get a shot away, but it almost ended with Lyubov Shmatko almost dribbling the ball into her own net.

The longer the game remained goalless, the more Ukraine grew into the contest, and sure enough, it was they who found the opening goal with through a breathtaking getaway. Olha Ovdiychuk sprinted away down the right, and her cut back into the box found the unmarked Yana Kalinina, who swept home from close range.

The goal certainly seemed to knock the stuffing out of Wales for the rest of half, who couldn’t get back to their high pressing game that they showed early on. At the break, Rhian Wilkinson’s side had a lot of work to do.

Lily Woodham and Rachel Rowe: Wales’ new Ying and Yang

Like in the first half, Wales started well and almost scored minutes into the second period. Ceri Holland’s cross turned shot had Daria Keliushyk scrambling, but eventually, the Ukraine keeper tipped the ball onto the bar and away.

However, after that, there was a lull. Ukraine were now sitting deep with five at the back, and Cymru were really struggling to find a way through. In fact, the hosts almost doubled their lead after Wales failed to clear their lines, but the ball was eventually cleared away.

Just like in Llanelli, Wales needed a bit of luck, and again, like in west Wales, that luck came in the form of a penalty. Out of nothing, Daryna Apanaschenko bundled over Barton in the area unnecessarily, but it left the Belgian referee no other option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Barton, who confidently powered her spot kick down the middle to restore parity.

Attention now turned to how Wales could win this game, especially with a stout Ukrainian defence in front of them. But in big games, big players turn up, and they don’t come much bigger than Jess Fishlock. Standing outside the area, the ball bobbled out to her, and from 30-yards out, the Seattle Reign superstar picked her spot and found the top corner.

An outstanding goal by an outstanding individual, who is now one goal away from equalling Helen Ward’s all-time Wales record.

Now with the lead, you would think that would bring an element of calm to Wales, but that wasn’t the case.

As the game entered added time, Ukraine almost found a leveller, but the post saved Wales. An alarm call if Wilkinson’s team ever needed one.

However, with three seconds to go of the seven minutes of added time, Ukraine found their equaliser. Apanaschenko found space on the right, and her cross found the head of Nicole Kozlova, who showed great power and determination to get around Rhiannon Roberts and sink her diving header into the roof of the net.

Heartbreak for Wales, who will need to pick themselves up for their final qualifiers away to Croatia and home to Kosovo next month.

Player of the Match: Ceri Holland

Yet again, Holland proved why she is such an important player for Wales. In an unfamiliar wing-back role, she was non-stop. Constantly sprinting at the defence, putting in dangerous deliveries, dribbling in and out of space. Holland is probably Wales’ most consistent performer.

Ukraine

Daria Keliushyk, Anna Petryk, Daryna Apanaschenko ©, Lyubov Shmatko, Olha Basanska, Daiana Semkiv, Veronika Andrukhiv (Nicole Kozlova 85’), Yana Kalinina (Natiya Pantsulaya 76’), Tamila Khimich, Olha Ovdiychuk (Yana Molakhova 85’), Roksolana Kravchuk (Inna Hlushchenko 63’)

Unused subs: Kateryna Boklach, Kateryna Samson, Iryna Podolska, Yana Kotyk, Maryna Shaynyuk, Kateryna Korsun

Goals: Yana Kalinina (34’), Nicole Kozlova (90+8’)

Wales

Olivia Clark, Hayley Ladd ©, Sophie Ingle, Gemma Evans, Ceri Holland, Angharad James, Jess Fishlock, Lois Joel (Lily Woodham 68’), Carrie Jones (Mary McAteer 68’), Kayleigh Barton (Rhiannon Roberts 85’), Rachel Rowe

Unused subs: Poppy Soper, Safia Middleton-Patel, Rhiannon Roberts, Georgia Walters, Olivia Francis, Charlie Estcourt, Ellen Jones, Ella Powell, Alice Griffiths, Ffion Morgan

Goals: Kayleigh Barton (74’ p), Jess Fishlock (77’)

Yellows: Ceri Holland (90+6’)

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)