Wales relegated to Nations League B in controversial fashion

Wales have been relegated from League A of the Nations League after being defeated 1-0 by Denmark in Odense.

Pernille Harder scored the crucial winner minutes into the second half, but Wales will certainly be questioning the referee, after Jess Fishlock’s shot looked to have clearly crossed the line.

But with no VAR available, the referee waved away Welsh protests, and the result means relegation to League B is confirmed.

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson elected to make five changes from the team that drew away against Sweden last time out. Among the names to return to the eleven included Ceri Holland and Jess Fishlock, while the likes of Ella Powell and Mayzee Davies kept their places.

However, Rhiannon Roberts was a key name missing from the starting side and the substitutes bench.

For Denmark, star player Pernille Harder captained the side, while Everton’s Sara Holmgaard and former Arsenal midfielder Kathrine Kühl were also involved.

Wales were dealt a hammer blow just three minutes in after Davies was forced off with an injury, and Denmark looked to capitalise quickly. Harder rattled the crossbar from Emma Snerle’s cross, while Olivia Clark had to be at full strength to deny Amalie Vangsgaard.

Then the moment of controversy. As Wales surged forward, Lily Woodham’s pass across goal found Holland, whose shot on goal was saved by Maja Østergaard. However, Fishlock managed to get her foot on the rebound, and the ball looked to have crossed the line. But with no VAR and no goal line technology, the scores remained level.

Wilkinson’s side didn’t let that deter them and they continued to create opportunities. Josie Green’s header narrowly missed the target, while Woodham failed to test the keeper with a near post strike.

Harder was proving to be a real tricky customer to handle, but she couldn’t find the back of the net. On one occasion she was denied by Clark’s low save, before Green put in an unbelievable block from close range to keep her out on the cusp of half time.

Plenty of positives for Wales in the first half, but they should certainly have been one up heading into the second period.

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Yet, a momentary lapse of concentration after the restart from Wales allowed the Danes to take the lead. From a throw in, Harder danced round four Welsh defenders, before arriving in the box and finding the far corner. A wonderful but avoidable goal.

Once again, Wales responded well after going behind and began to pepper the Danish box with early crosses. Fishlock couldn’t convert from Angharad James’ delivery, while Holland’s volley went straight into the clutches of Østergaard, but the visitors certainly looked the likelier team to score.

But it was Denmark who had the next big chance. Holmgaard’s cross to the far stick was volleyed across by Vangsgaard, but Hayley Ladd put in a tremendous block on the line to keep the deficit down at one goal.

Wilkinson made attacking substitutions to try and find some crucial goals, but the likes of Hannah Cain, Rachel Rowe and Ffion Morgan couldn’t quite make things click in the final third.

Despite their best efforts in the dying embers of the game, Cymru couldn’t find that crucial goal, meaning they will be playing in League B in the next edition of the Nations League.

Wales will end their Nations League campaign on Tuesday night, as they welcome Italy to Swansea.

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Player of the Match: Josie Green

Once again, Green was brilliant on Friday night. Whether it be crucial blocks or last ditch tackles, the Crystal Palace defender gave it her all for 90 minutes, and like many Welsh players, didn’t deserve to lose.

Denmark

Maja Østergaard, Isabella Obaze, Stine Ballisager, Katrine Veje (Frederikke Thøgersen 79’), Janni Thomsen, Emma Snerle, Kathrine Kühl (Jóhanna Fossdalsá 71’), Sara Holmgaard, Cornelia Kramer (Mille Gejl 90’), Amalie Vangsgaard, Pernille Harder ©

Unused subs: Kathrine Larsen, Alberte Vingum, Sara Thrige, Caroline Pleidrup, Anna Walter, Sanne Troelsgaard, Olivia Holdt, Sofie Bredgaard, Nadia Nadim

Goals: Pernille Harder (48’)

Yellows: Pernille Harder (32’)

Wales

Olivia Clark, Josie Green, Gemma Evans, Mayzee Davies (Alice Griffiths 6’, Ffion Morgan 79’), Ella Powell (Carrie Jones 46’), Hayley Ladd, Angharad James ©, Lily Woodham, Ceri Holland, Elise Hughes (Hannah Cain 62’), Jess Fishlock (Rachel Rowe 62’)

Unused subs: Soffia Kelly, Safia Middleton-Patel, Tianna Teisar, Kayleigh Barton, Charlie Estcourt, Lois Joel, Esther Morgan

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)