Photo via BBC Sport

Wales target clean sheet in World Cup play-off first leg

Wales’ Women’s World Cup play-off campaign kicks off with a first-leg showdown against Albania at Shkoder’s Loro Borici Stadium on Friday. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has set a clean sheet as the immediate target for her side, which faces a squad depleted by nine key absences due to injury.

Among those missing are standout performers like Ceri Holland, Olivia Clark, and Poppy Soper, with only Soper serving as a backup goalkeeper. Despite the losses, Wilkinson’s team includes six uncapped players, reflecting her policy of integrating youth into the senior squad.

Wales will look to build on their qualifying dominance, having defeated Albania twice in group-stage play—first with a 4-0 home win and later with a 1-0 victory away. The return leg in Llanelli on October 12 will determine the semi-final winner, with Wilkinson emphasizing the need for strong performances in both matches.

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