It’s the semifinals and Wales have got a tough opposition ahead of them. Belgium who are 13 places above them in the rankings, look to give Wales a real test, one that Scotland had failed to really show.
Belgium made it through to the Semi’s with a very commanding 4-0 win over Slovakia, and Wales are going to need to step up their game. It’s clear Belgium are a team who can convert their chances into goals and Wales spent most of their game against Scotland defending, so Wales will need to take it up a step and try to hold Belgium back.
Belgium dominated the game against Slovakia and managed to get 4 different players on the score sheet, which means Wales won’t be able to get away with just cutting out the passing lanes to the strikers because Belgium can make goals from anywhere, and they will. They came into this competition off the back of 2 World Cup Qualifiers, where they won 19-0 and 4-0 against Armenia and Poland respectively, so Belgium putting 4 on Slovakia, couldn’t have come as a surprise.
For Wales, this is a good game for them to have after Scotland. They managed to win that game without having the higher share of possession or chances, which means, Belgium who will most probably have similar stats need to be scoring or Wales could take the quick counters and make chances of their own.
It looks like a game, where Wales may have to change their lineup, to secure everything up in the back. If Hayley Ladd can’t play, which looks unlikely, do they really want to put young Anna Filbey in the back from the start against a very attacking Belgium team? As good as she did against Scotland, there weren’t as many genuine attempts as I’m sure will be faced against Belgium, so maybe they should risk it and place captain Sophie Ingle in the backline. It’s a position she’s familiar with and a position she’s played before with Wales, so maybe having that experience over having an inexperienced player will make that much difference and Wales are going to need to be as steady at the back as they can.
Players To Watch:
Wales :-
Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Green were everyone against Scotland and you expect another display where they’re involved in every attack.
Rachel Roberts had a very strong display last game and her cross-field balls were second to none, if she’s able to get enough time on the ball against Belgium I’m sure we’ll see a lot more balls up field towards our ever willing attackers.
Belgium:-
De Caigny and Cayman have both scored in Belgium’s last 5 winning games, one of which was a 19-0 against Armenia where these two scored 5 goals between them. They’re clearly the players to mark in the box, but they’re by no means the only players able to score in this team, so there will be plenty of options for Belgium.
Expected Line Up:
Wales
O’Sullivan; Rowe, Ingle, G. Evans, R.Roberts; Harding, Fishlock, A. James, Holland, C.Jones; Green
Kick-Off – Wales v Belgium – Saturday 19th – 20:30 EST