Wales Aim to Extend Unbeaten Streak in Montenegro
Wales will seek to continue their unbeaten run to seven matches when they face Montenegro in Friday's Women's World Cup qualifier.
Travel Chaos Challenges Wales Ahead of Crucial Match
Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has emphasized that Wales must not allow recent travel difficulties to impact their performance in the Group B1 fixture in Podgorica.
The Welsh squad experienced significant travel disruptions, arriving in Montenegro less than 23 hours before kickoff at Gradski Stadion. Originally scheduled to arrive on Wednesday evening, the team was diverted to Brindisi, Italy, due to electrical storms affecting their flight path.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) secured accommodation for the players early Thursday morning; however, Wilkinson and several members of the backroom staff spent the night in an airport waiting area.
Despite these challenges, Wilkinson reports that the players remain in good spirits ahead of their penultimate group match.
"It's obviously not been straightforward, but equally these things happen, and for such a massive delay in our travel plans, I think it's been handled exceptionally and we're just getting on with it," Wilkinson said.
Coverage of the match will be available live on BBC Two Wales and from 16:45 BST, with radio commentary on via BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. Text commentary and highlights will be accessible on the website and app.
"There's not much we can do about weather. I'm just really very proud of my staff. It's not nice, right, spending the night at the airport for the staff. But how quickly they prioritise the players, getting them to sleep, prioritising food, all those things - the players have noticed [the staff] have gone above and beyond this trip."
While the staff stayed overnight at the airport, the players rested at the accommodation arranged in southern Italy for most of Thursday.
"They're not aware of half of what's been happening and that's the point," Wilkinson added.
Maintaining Focus Amidst Disruptions
Wilkinson explained the team's approach to managing the situation, ensuring that the players' performances would not be compromised.
"We don't try to shield them from challenge, but equally we try to make sure their performances aren't affected and that's what we've done here. There's no excuses. We'll be ready for the game."
Wilkinson also described her own experience during the travel delays.
"As a head coach, that is all I can do. I'm actually the least useful person on match day minus one and two. You know, it's the reality of it. I have staff that will be working over, round the clock now, especially the medical team, to make sure that the players are ready to go and they need to be prioritised."
Rhian Wilkinson has a near fully fit squad in Montenegro, though Hayley Ladd is absent through injury.
Group B1 Battle Intensifies
The match against Montenegro is a crucial fixture for Wales as they compete with the Czech Republic for first place in Group B1. Finishing top would provide a more advantageous route in the upcoming World Cup qualifying play-offs later this year.
The Czech Republic currently leads the group on goal difference and will host Albania on Friday before facing Wales in a decisive match at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 9 June.
Wales previously secured a 6-1 win over Montenegro in Llanelli in March and are expected to perform strongly in the return fixture despite the recent travel complications.
If Wales and the Czech Republic finish level on points, the group winner will be determined by head-to-head records. Should the teams remain tied, goal difference will be considered next; however, Wilkinson stated this is not a current focus.
"That's not something we're chasing," she said. "What we've talked about is winning the [final two games of the] group and then we take care of our own fate."
