A well-fought game that would give you the illusion that Wales dominated that game. The opposite is in fact true. Scotland had complete control of that game, but once again as has been complained about in the past, Scotland squandered chance after chance in front of goal and ultimately let Wales get 2 well-worked counter-attacking goals.
Whilst it was a fairly equal game in the first half, both teams were dominating their left-hand sides. After only 14 minutes though it looked like it was going to be a bad day for Wales as Hayley Ladd went down with a thigh injury. Young Anna Filbey came on to replace her and Wales had to re-group and go again. Thankfully their attack wasn’t affected by the disruption as Fishlock and Green continued to link up well and were giving the Scottish defence plenty of problems, since they themselves were without their captain, Rachel Corsie, with Jen Beattie having taken the armband to lead the Scots out.
Scotland was definitely making the better chances, all coming through Weir, Emslie, Ross and Clelland and it was through them that Scotland was able to go a goal up 3 minutes into extra time in the first half.
Scotland though couldn’t hold out until halftime and Kayleigh Green who had been involved with everything going forward for Wales was brought down in the box by Jenna Clark and was awarded a penalty. which Jess Fischlock stepped up to take and buried it.
So the teams went in at halftime all square and we well expected the second half to be much the same.
After some changes to bring fresh legs onto the field, the second half was underway and it was much like the first half, with Scotland dominating most of the ball, and it didn’t take long for the substitutes in Harrison and Thomas to link up with Emslie and Weird to get shots at goal. Although none of their chances really troubled O’ Sullivan who was celebrating her 50th cap and making the game look easy.
Harrison had a few more chances early on, but none looked like they were going to trouble the keeper, Emslie had a good chance, where she had time and space on the ball, but shot it wide over the bar and that sort of return in front of goal, has been a large complaint about Scotland recently, they’re making the chances but aren’t converting.
That wasn’t a problem Wales had, having only had one clear cut chance in the first 5 minutes, they got the ball and within 4 passes had the ball upfield, and a cross from out wide took it into the box, where Fishlock brought it down and knocked it wide for Harding who, surrounded by 3 Scottish defenders, backheeled it through everyone and Fishlock was free to slot it home. An ostentatious display and completely against the run of play, Wales were now 2-1 up.
The next 10 minutes have Wales putting the pressure on, whilst Scotland tries to re-group and gather themselves. Their best chance comes from Caroline Weir, who has a chance to put a free-kick into the box and whilst she gets it’s on target, it’s easy for Wales to clear and the tide turns back in Wales’ favour. From halfway, Ingle gets the ball up the field and Green makes a run down the right and holds the ball up on the byline before crossing it to Harding who easily knocks it past the keeper at the near post. A moment that Fife won’t want to see again.
After that goal Scotland looked well and truly defeated, they were wasting the ball far too much and if Wales pressed a little more, it could have got a lot worse. After Hanson’s introduction in the 62nd minute, she did as much as she could to get Scotland going again.
Then in the 75th minute, Helen Ward comes on, earning her 98th cap and if she can feature for the rest of the tournament she’ll be able to go home with 100 caps to her name.
As the game went on, any chance of redemption got further and further away from Scotland, although Harrison, Hanson, Emslie and Weir, kept trying, but to no avail.
As the final whistle blew, it meant that Scotland wouldn’t be taking the Pinatar cup back home with them and the short-lived tournament would have a new champion. Could that be Wales we wonder?
Line Ups
Wales – O’Sullivan; R. Roberts, G. Evans, Ladd (Filbey 15’), Rowe (F. Morgan 46’); Ingle, Holland (A. James 62), C. Jones (Woodham 46’), Fishlock, Harding (Wynne 75’); K. Green (Ward 75’)
Goalscorers – Fishlock – 45’(P), 53’; Harding – 61’
Scotland – Fife; Howard, J. Clark (M. Thomas 46’), Beattie; Murray (Kerr 62’), Grimshaw (Hanson 62’), Robertson, Weir, Emslie; Clelland (Harrison 46’), J.Ross (Arthur 46’)
Goalscorers – Clelland – 45’
Players of the Game
Wales – Jess Fishlock & Kayleigh Green
Scotland – Claire Emslie & Caroline Weir
Wales’ next game is going to be in the semifinals, against Belgium on Friday 19th, 20:30 EST
Scotland will be playing in the 5th-8th semis, against Slovakia on Friday 19th, 15:30 EST