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Despite a spirited performance full of heart, Wales narrowly fell to the highly rated French outfit in a pulsating FIFA Women’s Qualifying Round clash at Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli.
The defeat leaves Wales third in World Cup qualifying group I but with their hopes of finishing second and earning a play-off spot still in their own hands.
This was always likely to be a huge challenge for Wales against the third-ranked nation in the world. A crowd of 4,553 turned out to see if Gemma Grainger’s side was up to the task.
Grainger was expected to award a 100th cap to Helen Ward up front, a great reward for a wonderful servant of the game as Wales were looking to qualify for their first major tournament. Ward started proceedings on the bench.
Despite a confident start from the visitors, it was the home side who almost went close to opening the scoring after a quarter of an hour, with skipper Sophie Ingle amongst a clutch of Welsh girls who failed to capitalise on a series of chances arising from Carrie Jones’ strong run into the box.
Kadidatou Diani was a danger for the visitors and went close with two sharply struck efforts as the French looked dangerous when given sight of the goal. At the other end, Tash Harding and Jones brought smart reactions from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in the French goal.
Jones was looking a lively outlet for Wales and was full of running. At the back, Gemma Evans was alive to the lively attacking threat offered by the French as an entertaining game switched from end to end. Delphine Cascarino featured prominently as France put on a confident show.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring after half an hour, a firm header from captain Wendie Renard beating Laura O’Sullivan in the Welsh goal, just seconds after she had kept out a great effort from Marie-Antionette Katota. The first half had seen a composed display by the visitors though Wales had continued to chase and push forward.
Wales had done well to keep the score at 1-0 come the interval but it was Les Bleus who continued to impress in the second half with their skill and athleticism.
Ceri Holland typified the Welsh spirit though with her determination to force her way into the action. Evans was also in no mood to shrink from the battle. Jess Fishlock blazed a shot over the bar as we approached the hour mark.
Katota seized on a poor clearance from O’Sullivan to tap in an easy second shortly afterwards. It seemed a long way back now – despite Welsh penalty appeals which seemed to carry some justification as Fishlock was crushed to the ground.
Rachel Rowe forced a corner following a surging Welsh counterattack and skipper Ingle fired home when the cross came into the danger area. The goal boosted the home crowd as Fishlock drove the Welsh forward in search of a second.
Wales had the ball in the net again on 72 minutes but Evans’ header was ruled out by referee Jana Adamkova for offside.
The home side had found their second wind now and it was anyone’s game with ten minutes to go. Rowe and Holland gave everything they had as this exciting game reached a crescendo. Fishlock was out on her feet but scrapped away in fearless fashion. Ingle was a warrior as the Welsh staged an almighty last effort.
Evans kept Wales in the game with an eye-watering goal line clearance as the clock ticked away but you sensed that France might just hold on.
Grainger introduced Ward in added time to earn that century of caps but there was to be no fairy tale ending as the brave Welsh girls fell narrowly short of earning a famous result. France held their nerve and ended a wonderful game as worthy winners – just.
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