Photo via BBC Sport

Wales wary but eye record run in World Cup bid

Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson has warned her team against complacency as they prepare to face Albania in the decisive second leg of their Women’s World Cup play-off semi-final. Despite holding a 1-0 aggregate lead after a tight first-leg victory, Wilkinson emphasized that the Albanians remain a formidable opponent, capable of disrupting even the most confident of sides.

Her side could extend their unbeaten run to a record 10 games if they secure a win at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Tuesday, matching their longest streak since 2013–14. However, the absence of key players like Olivia Clark, Hayley Ladd, and Ceri Holland—among others—has left Wales with a weakened squad, adding to the challenge ahead.

Wilkinson acknowledged the Albanians’ relentless fighting spirit, noting that their underdog mentality has historically yielded surprising results against higher-ranked teams. The match promises to be physically grueling, with exhaustion likely to decide the outcome for either side.

A victory would propel Wales toward their first-ever World Cup appearance, but Wilkinson insists focus must remain on performance rather than the potential historic milestone.

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