Latest news with #RhianWilkinson
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: Wales team guide – can the debutants be disruptors in the toughest group?
Finally. The sense of relief for Wales after qualifying, at last, for their first major women's tournament is palpable and powerful. That they have been drawn into the European Championship's toughest group — with England, the Netherlands and France — will not dampen spirits, nor will the fact they are the lowest-ranked team to have made it to Switzerland this summer (30th in the world, by FIFA's calculations). Advertisement The underdog tag is something this team neither shirk nor embrace. And, while very few expect Wales to get out of the group, or perhaps even win a single point in the process of trying, the lack of pressure is viewed as a privilege in the camp. Who is the manager? Rhian Wilkinson, 43, was tasked with what was historically an impossible job, made tougher by the fact she stepped into the role of leading Wales just two months before the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign began. The former Canada international arrived armed with 181 appearances for her national side and two Olympic bronze medals, but her coaching pedigree was not so well established. In her first head-coach position, in 2021, she guided her former team Portland Thorns to the NWSL Championship title, but departed later that year after an investigation into a relationship with a player. Wilkinson was cleared of any wrongdoing. Advertisement That Wilkinson has turned Wales' women — a team that, much like their men's side before the magic of Euro 2016 sparked a flurry of tournament appearances, seemed condemned to a life of near-misses (see: World Cup 2019, Euro 2022, World Cup 2023) — into a cohesive and competitive unit in the space of just 10 months has defied most expectations. How do they play? Under Wilkinson, Wales have become more confident on the ball and prefer to move quickly through the thirds. In their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign, a high press was used regularly and with plenty of success. That said, Wilkinson has shown there's a shrewd practicality to her style and against better quality opponents, Wales are happy to soak up pressure, defend resolutely and hit teams on the counter, playing off a high-positioned forward and committing high up the pitch. Who are their three most influential players? Mention Wales Women and one name comes to mind: Jess Fishlock. With more than 150 caps and 47 goals (a record for Wales' senior national teams, women's and men's), the 38-year-old has become an extension of her nation. But under Wilkinson and with Fishlock battling recurring injuries, Wales have learnt to look elsewhere for influence. Everton midfielder Hayley Ladd is the brains of the operation now, while Liverpool counterpart Ceri Holland has become a reliable source of goals and energy. What is their biggest strength? Wales have done well under Wilkinson to move away from a hardened reputation as being Fishlock's team and become more of a sum of their parts. But the biggest strength they have this summer? Zero pressure. The Welsh are happy to be here and they are happy to prove themselves on the biggest stage. Advertisement If that sounds familiar, it might be worth checking out what happened in France nine years ago with the men's side… What weakness might other teams be able to exploit? While more of a squad than previous years, Wales are still not one of the most blessed nations in terms of strength in depth, so their team is a mixture of elite players and some with less top-level experience. Another potential weakness? Goalkeeper. Their usual No 1, Olivia Clark, left FC Twente of the Netherlands to join Leicester City in January, but the 23-year-old did not make a single appearance for the Women's Super League side after that transfer and her rustiness was exposed recently in the Nations League. Advertisement Manchester United backup Safia Middleton-Patel has made a case to take over the gloves this summer, but at 20 years old and with just 11 senior club appearances to her name, all but one of them out on loan, that would be a bold call. Any notable absences? In Wales' final Nations League games in early June, 18-year-old Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury, becoming their second player ruled out by that issue in the space of two months, following on from experienced backup goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan. Midfielder Sophie Ingle has been a notable name absent from the team sheet since also suffering an ACL injury last September during a pre-season match with Chelsea. Wales without Ingle was once an inconceivable premise and, while Wilkinson has done well to bring in young players to replace her, as well as moving Ladd to her preferred position as a No 6, the 33-year-old's quality on the ball is second to none — something this team have missed at times. Advertisement Ingle has returned in time to make the squad for these Euros, but whether she is match-fit is another question. There is also a slight concern about Fishlock — the Seattle Reign midfielder has had intermittent spells out all through the first half of the 2025 NWSL season due to an ongoing, unspecified leg injury. What is their strongest starting XI? How have they played over the past 12 months? In Wilkinson's first 10 matches in charge, Wales recorded six wins, three draws and only one defeat. More recent performances do not make for such positive reading (four defeats and two draws in six Nations League matches, against Italy, Denmark and Sweden, both draws impressively coming against the latter). Advertisement Yet the results only tell half the story. Under previous manager Gemma Grainger, Wales were the Nations League A weaklings, losing successive matches by a scoreline of 5-1 to Germany and Denmark in 2023, and looking increasingly reliant on the individual brilliance of Fishlock. This time around, the first three of those defeats were all by a one-goal margin until the final match against Italy, where they went in at half-time already four down and were ultimately beaten 4-1. The match was described by Wilkinson as a 'slap in the face', but in a good way. What are they expected to achieve at these Euros? Very few, perhaps nobody, expects Wales to make it out of this group. But there is a growing anticipation that they might well influence who does make it through to the quarter-finals. Under Wilkinson, Wales look a greater sum of their parts. Despite being relegated from Nations League A with just two points, they have shown an ability to compete, or at least frustrate. Did you know? The Welsh women's national team almost ceased to exist 20 years ago. Advertisement Drawn into a Euro 2005 qualifying group with Belarus, Israel, Estonia and Kazakhstan, the Football Association of Wales deemed travel to such far-flung locations too expensive and pulled the team from the campaign, despite appointing men's senior team manager Mark Hughes on a salary worth up to £2million ($2.7m at the current rate), a record at the time. Between March 2004 and March 2006, Wales' women played just one friendly — against American university Kennesaw State's women's team, who were on a multi-match European tour. Wales won, 1-0. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Wales, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Euro 2025: Wales team guide – can the debutants be disruptors in the toughest group?
Finally. The sense of relief for Wales after qualifying, at last, for their first major women's tournament is palpable and powerful. That they have been drawn into the European Championship's toughest group — with England, the Netherlands and France — will not dampen spirits, nor will the fact they are the lowest-ranked team to have made it to Switzerland this summer (30th in the world, by FIFA's calculations). The underdog tag is something this team neither shirk nor embrace. And, while very few expect Wales to get out of the group, or perhaps even win a single point in the process of trying, the lack of pressure is viewed as a privilege in the camp. Rhian Wilkinson, 43, was tasked with what was historically an impossible job, made tougher by the fact she stepped into the role of leading Wales just two months before the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign began. The former Canada international arrived armed with 181 appearances for her national side and two Olympic bronze medals, but her coaching pedigree was not so well established. In her first head-coach position, in 2021, she guided her former team Portland Thorns to the NWSL Championship title, but departed later that year after an investigation into a relationship with a player. Wilkinson was cleared of any wrongdoing. Advertisement That Wilkinson has turned Wales' women — a team that, much like their men's side before the magic of Euro 2016 sparked a flurry of tournament appearances, seemed condemned to a life of near-misses (see: World Cup 2019, Euro 2022, World Cup 2023) — into a cohesive and competitive unit in the space of just 10 months has defied most expectations. Under Wilkinson, Wales have become more confident on the ball and prefer to move quickly through the thirds. In their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign, a high press was used regularly and with plenty of success. That said, Wilkinson has shown there's a shrewd practicality to her style and against better quality opponents, Wales are happy to soak up pressure, defend resolutely and hit teams on the counter, playing off a high-positioned forward and committing high up the pitch. Mention Wales Women and one name comes to mind: Jess Fishlock. With more than 150 caps and 47 goals (a record for Wales' senior national teams, women's and men's), the 38-year-old has become an extension of her nation. But under Wilkinson and with Fishlock battling recurring injuries, Wales have learnt to look elsewhere for influence. Everton midfielder Hayley Ladd is the brains of the operation now, while Liverpool counterpart Ceri Holland has become a reliable source of goals and energy. Wales have done well under Wilkinson to move away from a hardened reputation as being Fishlock's team and become more of a sum of their parts. But the biggest strength they have this summer? Zero pressure. The Welsh are happy to be here and they are happy to prove themselves on the biggest stage. If that sounds familiar, it might be worth checking out what happened in France nine years ago with the men's side… While more of a squad than previous years, Wales are still not one of the most blessed nations in terms of strength in depth, so their team is a mixture of elite players and some with less top-level experience. Another potential weakness? Goalkeeper. Their usual No 1, Olivia Clark, left FC Twente of the Netherlands to join Leicester City in January, but the 23-year-old did not make a single appearance for the Women's Super League side after that transfer and her rustiness was exposed recently in the Nations League. Manchester United backup Safia Middleton-Patel has made a case to take over the gloves this summer, but at 20 years old and with just 11 senior club appearances to her name, all but one of them out on loan, that would be a bold call. In Wales' final Nations League games in early June, 18-year-old Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury, becoming their second player ruled out by that issue in the space of two months, following on from experienced backup goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan. Advertisement Midfielder Sophie Ingle has been a notable name absent from the team sheet since also suffering an ACL injury last September during a pre-season match with Chelsea. Wales without Ingle was once an inconceivable premise and, while Wilkinson has done well to bring in young players to replace her, as well as moving Ladd to her preferred position as a No 6, the 33-year-old's quality on the ball is second to none — something this team have missed at times. Ingle has returned in time to make the squad for these Euros, but whether she is match-fit is another question. There is also a slight concern about Fishlock — the Seattle Reign midfielder has had intermittent spells out all through the first half of the 2025 NWSL season due to an ongoing, unspecified leg injury. In Wilkinson's first 10 matches in charge, Wales recorded six wins, three draws and only one defeat. More recent performances do not make for such positive reading (four defeats and two draws in six Nations League matches, against Italy, Denmark and Sweden, both draws impressively coming against the latter). Yet the results only tell half the story. Under previous manager Gemma Grainger, Wales were the Nations League A weaklings, losing successive matches by a scoreline of 5-1 to Germany and Denmark in 2023, and looking increasingly reliant on the individual brilliance of Fishlock. This time around, the first three of those defeats were all by a one-goal margin until the final match against Italy, where they went in at half-time already four down and were ultimately beaten 4-1. The match was described by Wilkinson as a 'slap in the face', but in a good way. Very few, perhaps nobody, expects Wales to make it out of this group. But there is a growing anticipation that they might well influence who does make it through to the quarter-finals. Under Wilkinson, Wales look a greater sum of their parts. Despite being relegated from Nations League A with just two points, they have shown an ability to compete, or at least frustrate. The Welsh women's national team almost ceased to exist 20 years ago. Drawn into a Euro 2005 qualifying group with Belarus, Israel, Estonia and Kazakhstan, the Football Association of Wales deemed travel to such far-flung locations too expensive and pulled the team from the campaign, despite appointing men's senior team manager Mark Hughes on a salary worth up to £2million ($2.7m at the current rate), a record at the time. Between March 2004 and March 2006, Wales' women played just one friendly — against American university Kennesaw State's women's team, who were on a multi-match European tour. Wales won, 1-0.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pitch-sized mural of Wales star Fishlock unveiled
Jess Fishlock has 154 caps and 45 international goals to her name [Football Association Wales] A mural of Wales' record-breaking goal scorer Jess Fishlock has been unveiled. The tribute, which covers the playing area of a five-a-side football pitch in Splott, Cardiff, celebrates her impact on football, equality and representation. Advertisement It is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe for a female footballer and was showcased ahead of Wales' debut in Switzerland for Euro 2025 after the team qualified for a first major tournament in their history. The mural is designed by artist Regan Gilflin, and brought to life by UNIFY, the Welsh creative studio behind My City, My Shirt and the Gary Speed mural. Fishlock - who has 162 caps and 47 international goals to her name - has been called a footballing "icon" by Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson. She made history by breaking Wales' all-time goal scoring record during her team's 2-0 win over Kosovo during the Euro 2025 qualifier. Advertisement Last year the midfielder also accepted an Honorary Fellowship from Aberystwyth University. Fishlock made history last year by breaking Wales' all-time goal scoring record [Orchard Media] Fishlock, who was born in Cardiff, said she enjoyed sports as a child but her love for football developed at a Mia Hamm soccer camp in the city during the summer holidays. She previously said: "My older sister wanted to go to the camp and my mum said for me to go along with her. "I just loved it and my mum says from that moment I was like, 'I'm not doing anything else, this is what I want to do." She played for Cardiff City Ladies FC from the age of 15 then, at 19 while playing for Wales, Fishlock was approached to move to Holland to play professionally for AZ Alkmaar. Advertisement When the Women's Super League launched in 2011, she returned to the UK and joined Bristol and that year she was named the FAW's Women's Player of the Year. In 2012 she moved to Australia and joined Melbourne Victory before making her move to the US with Seattle Reign FC. She described the levels of the National Women's Soccer League as higher due to the "sheer intensity, physicality and mentality". In 2018 she received an MBE for services to women's football and the LGBT community. Fishlock has spoken openly about her sexuality, saying her experiences growing up made her determined to be a role model in the LGBT community, especially children, after high school was "hell on earth" for her. Advertisement In 2019, she celebrated helping Lyon win the French women's league then, in April 2024, became the first Welsh player to reach 150 caps.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ingle ‘will be ready' for Wales' Euro 2025 opener
Sophie Ingle says she will be ready to play in Wales' opening game of Euro 2025 against the Netherlands on Saturday, 5 July. Wales have been without the influential 33-year-old for nine months after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last September. Advertisement The long-time former captain has defied the odds to make head coach Rhian Wilkinson's squad for the European Championship, and is currently part of a pre-tournament camp in Portugal. Wales face the Dutch in Lucerne on before games against France and England in Group D at the tournament in Switzerland. When asked whether she would be available for the Netherlands game, Ingle said "Yes. I feel good. I'm still ticking off a few things over the next week with the medical team but I'm in a good place on the pitch and all my testing is improving. "I do feel really good on the pitch right now and whatever role I'm needed [to play] for the team I'll be ready, but I'm still trying to push through the fitness side of things for the next week. Advertisement "I've been working hard in the heat and I've got to play some football as well which is nice. We've got four days of training in a row and then an in-house friendly match." The journey back With 141 international caps to her name, Ingle brings great experience to a squad building up to their first women's major tournament. But after months of questions about whether she would make it to Switzerland, Ingle - who is looking for a new club this summer after a seven-year spell with Chelsea - insists she has stayed calm all along. "I wasn't worried," Ingle told the Feast of Football podcast. Advertisement "I think from when I first got injured I was always open about it, saying that I'm coming no matter what, whether I made the squad, whether I was going to be a training player or whether I was going to be a fan. "I wanted to be here with the girls on this journey and I would've done anything I could to get on that plane, in any role. I would've been kit man if you wanted me to. "Obviously I always wanted to get in to the squad and be available for selection, but if my injury had prevented that then I was going to be here." Even during her spell on the sidelines, Ingle's presence has been felt within the Wales squad, with the midfielder or defender joining in recent training camps as part of her rehabilitation. Advertisement She has also worked as a pitchside TV pundit for Wales games, including the play-off victory over Republic of Ireland which saw Wales clinch their Euro 2025 place last December. Ingle, who was on crutches at the time, was on air discussing Wales' success when she was whisked off by her celebrating team-mates. "It was nice that the girls came over to get me and I could enjoy that with the team. I think that was a nice touch," Ingle said. "When the whistle went it was just relief that the girls had done it. We've been so close in the past and been through so much, we could finally relax and enjoy the moment. Advertisement "When I'm home and have to watch the Wales games on the sofa it's not the same. I want to be in the stadium - I want to be there with the girls."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ingle ‘will be ready' for Wales' Euro 2025 opener
Sophie Ingle says she will be ready to play in Wales' opening game of Euro 2025 against the Netherlands on Saturday, 5 have been without the influential 33-year-old for nine months after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last long-time former captain has defied the odds to make head coach Rhian Wilkinson's squad for the European Championship, and is currently part of a pre-tournament camp in face the Dutch in Lucerne on before games against France and England in Group D at the tournament in asked whether she would be available for the Netherlands game, Ingle said "Yes. I feel good. I'm still ticking off a few things over the next week with the medical team but I'm in a good place on the pitch and all my testing is improving."I do feel really good on the pitch right now and whatever role I'm needed [to play] for the team I'll be ready, but I'm still trying to push through the fitness side of things for the next week."I've been working hard in the heat and I've got to play some football as well which is nice. We've got four days of training in a row and then an in-house friendly match." The journey back With 141 international caps to her name, Ingle brings great experience to a squad building up to their first women's major after months of questions about whether she would make it to Switzerland, Ingle - who is looking for a new club this summer after a seven-year spell with Chelsea - insists she has stayed calm all along."I wasn't worried," Ingle told the Feast of Football podcast."I think from when I first got injured I was always open about it, saying that I'm coming no matter what, whether I made the squad, whether I was going to be a training player or whether I was going to be a fan."I wanted to be here with the girls on this journey and I would've done anything I could to get on that plane, in any role. I would've been kit man if you wanted me to."Obviously I always wanted to get in to the squad and be available for selection, but if my injury had prevented that then I was going to be here."Even during her spell on the sidelines, Ingle's presence has been felt within the Wales squad, with the midfielder or defender joining in recent training camps as part of her rehabilitation. She has also worked as a pitchside TV pundit for Wales games, including the play-off victory over Republic of Ireland which saw Wales clinch their Euro 2025 place last who was on crutches at the time, was on air discussing Wales' success when she was whisked off by her celebrating team-mates."It was nice that the girls came over to get me and I could enjoy that with the team. I think that was a nice touch," Ingle said."When the whistle went it was just relief that the girls had done it. We've been so close in the past and been through so much, we could finally relax and enjoy the moment."When I'm home and have to watch the Wales games on the sofa it's not the same. I want to be in the stadium - I want to be there with the girls."
