Wales Manager Rhian Wilkinson Celebrates Successful Start to Euro 2025 Qualifiers
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson expressed her delight following her side’s impressive 4-0 victory over Croatia in their opening Euro 2025 qualifier. The match saw two goals from Wales’ most-capped player, Jess Fishlock, as well as goals from Rachel Rowe and Angharad James.
Dream Start for Wales
The win against Croatia has given Wales the perfect start to their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign. With a 100% winning record so far, the team is now preparing for their upcoming match against Kosovo. Wilkinson praised her players for their performance but believes there is still room for improvement. She stated, “I have asked the players to do some things that they haven’t done before. We made a few tweaks at half-time and I was really pleased with what they delivered. It is a proud day for me.”
Wilkinson Chasing Greatness
Although the Wales manager was proud of her team’s performance, she emphasized the need for even more clinical play. Wilkinson is determined to chase great performances and push her players to achieve their best. She said, “I will chase performances. It is very special for me to be in this job. We had a good performance tonight, but we will chase great.”
Fishlock’s Outstanding Contribution
Wilkinson also took the opportunity to praise midfielder Jess Fishlock, who was named the player of the match against Croatia. Fishlock’s two goals in the game have elevated her to become Wales’ second highest goalscorer, just two goals behind record scorer Helen Ward. Furthermore, Fishlock has surpassed Gareth Bale in terms of goals scored for Wales.
Fishlock’s Focus on Team Success
Despite her individual achievements, Fishlock remains focused on the team’s success rather than personal records. She stated, “The record is not something I think about, I just want to do my best for the team.” Fishlock is determined to give her all for Wales in their upcoming matches and hopes to continue contributing to their success.
Special Milestone for Fishlock
Fishlock’s next opportunity to break or tie the goalscoring record set by Helen Ward will come in Wales’ match against Kosovo. If she manages to do so, Fishlock will also celebrate her 150th cap, becoming the first Wales player to reach this milestone. She expressed her pride in achieving such a feat and acknowledged the significance of the moment for all the women who have represented Wales before her. Fishlock shared, “Tuesday will be huge, not just for me and my family, but for every woman who has put on the Welsh jersey. It’s not just my moment, it’s for everyone who has come before me and helped me get to this point.”
Difficult Decision for Wilkinson
In a difficult decision, Wilkinson chose to substitute Fishlock when she was on a hat-trick to protect her from potential injuries. Wilkinson acknowledged her talisman’s commitment and stated, “Jess can only play at 100%, so in the end I had to take her off to save her from herself.”
Exciting Times Ahead for Wales
With the successful start to their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign, Wales is filled with optimism for the future. Under the leadership of Rhian Wilkinson and with players like Jess Fishlock leading the way, the team is determined to continue their winning streak and achieve great things in women’s football.