Wales manager urges fans to witness Jess Fishlock’s international finale
LLANELLI, WALES - 16 JULY 2024: Wales' Jess Fishlock celebrates scoring her sides first goal during the UEFA Womens Euro 2025 qualifier League B match between Wales Women and Kosovo Women at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on the 16th July 2024. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Rhian Wilkinson has urged the public to watch Jess Fishlock for one final time for Wales, as the icon prepares for international retirement.
In an emotional and inspirational statement, Fishlock announced her intention to retire from international football on Wednesday.
Next Saturday’s friendly against Australia in Cardiff will see her receive her 166th and final cap for Wales, and Wilkinson was full of praise for the icon.
“I don’t think you can sum up what Jess means to Wales. She is a generational player that has given everything to her country. She’s been recognised worldwide which is appropriate for how much she’s loved playing for Wales and how much she’s given to do that.
“She’s a player that we will miss hugely but I’m glad we’ve got one more game with her in the squad.
“We had lots of conversations. It’s such a private moment when someone makes that final decision. She’s been really good about it, she hasn’t had any kneejerk moments, she’s taken her time, and when she was ready it was clear to her.”
Ever since her appointment as manager in February 2024, Wilkinson has been vocal in urging fans to watch the women’s team, and today was no different.
Fishlock leads Wales in appearances and goals, and the manager has urged people to head down to Cardiff City Stadium to watch an historical moment.
“I don’t have to have any vailed threats anymore. The threat is real; this is her last game. It’s one of these moments in sporting history that will be talked about. It’s 2pm on Saturday.
“We’ve done that to make sure that there are as many young people as possible, old people, Welsh people, football people in the crowd. Don’t miss the opportunity, because this is the last time.”
Wales record breaker Jess Fishlock announces retirement from international football
First time call-ups
Three players have been called up to the senior squad for the first time; Charlton Athletic’s Mia Ross, Portsmouth’s Annie Wilding, and Arsenal’s Teagan Scarlett.
Ross is perhaps the most eye-catching addition to this latest squad. Having come through the youth system with England, Ross appeared for the Lionesses in the 2022 U19 European Championships; a squad which included Grace Clinton and Aggie Beever-Jones.
The inclusion of the versatile Ross is another indication of the FAW’s commitment to bringing players from outside the system in, and Wilkinson is eager to see what she can do.
“I’ve been in communication with Mia pretty much since I got the job. She’s got a vision and understanding of space, which has really interested and intrigued me. It’s a big decision to choose a nationality to play for, but everyone has taken their time, and we’ve had good conversations.
“We have to keep our Welsh heritage and our Welsh understanding strong and having that connection and passion for the flag and the badge is paramount, and if that person doesn’t have that, I stop recruiting them.
“From the beginning Mia has been very clear that this was something that she was interested in and felt strongly about. We haven’t forced or pushed those conversations; it’s something that’s come naturally. We’re really looking forward to having her in the group for the first time.”
Another name who springs out is that of Teagan Scarlett.
A defender, Scarlett currently plays her football for Arsenal. Any player who’s playing for the European Champions is bound to bring a level of excitement, and the Canadian is pleased to have her as part of this squad.
“Teagan is another we’ve been keeping an eye for a long time. She came to Portugal with us before the Euros in order to give her a taste of senior environment.
“Teagan has this real exciting quality on the ball. She’s starting to get some minutes with the youth programme at Arsenal, and we think it’s the right time to see her up at senior level.”
There’s also a welcome return to the squad for Watford’s Anna Filbey. The defender has not appeared in a Welsh squad since the playoff victory against the Republic of Ireland, and Wilkinson is pleased to have her back.
“We keep in contact and watch our players even when they’re not in the squad. Anna is someone we’ve really kept an eye on. She’s someone who can play across a few positions in which we don’t have much depth in, and equally, when there’s injury there’s an opportunity.
“Anna had a tough injury to deal with over summer which she’s worked hard to come back from, but this is a great time to have her back with the team.”
Big tests
This window will see Wales take on Australia in Cardiff and Poland in Newport in the penultimate international window of the year.
The Matildas come to the capital in preparation mode ahead of an Asian Cup on home soil for the first time since 2006. However, they did suffer an embarrassing loss to Panama in the last international window.
A result like that will give the Red Wall hope that Wales could finally beat a team in the top 20 of the FIFA Rankings for the first time ever, but Wilkinson knows how tough a test the Aussies will be.
“Australia are such an athletic team. You see so many of their players playing in leagues like the WSL and the NWSL. We’re a country that’s just beginning to scratch the surface with tier one teams and building our performances against them. This is just another test for us against top opposition who have some big names.
“It’s important to keep playing top teams with the names that my players have heard in the news. They are a great opposition for us, a good test, and we need to play teams like that to make sure that we’re not over roared when it comes to future tournaments.”
The meeting against Poland a couple of days later will be the first ever meeting between the two in women’s football.
The Poles’ taliswoman, Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor, may not feature due to injury. Despite the possible absence of the forward, Poland will still represent a very tough test for Cymru.
“I’m really looking forward to the test against Poland. They were first time debutants at the Euros alongside us, and they put in some really good performances, including getting that win over Denmark.
“It’s going to be a battle between two different types of teams, particularly for a young Wales team, but I’m looking forward to see who will step up and take their opportunity.”
WALES SQUAD TO FACE AUSTRALIA AND POLAND
Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Rugby Borough)
Amy Richardson (Celtic), Annie Wilding (Portsmouth), Anna Filbey (Watford), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Gwen Zimmerman (Eclipse Select Soccer), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Teagan Scarlett (Arsenal)
Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Sophie Ingle (Bristol City), Alice Griffiths (Rangers), Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Scarlett Hill (Manchester United), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping)
Tianna Teisar (Plymouth Argyle), Mared Griffiths (Manchester United), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Ffion Morgan (West Ham United), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace), Mary McAteer (Charlton Athletic)
