Wilkinson pleased as Wales find a way to win
Rhian Wilkinson's Wales side remain unbeaten in six matches after a challenging victory in their Women's World Cup qualifier in Albania.
Wales delivered a performance below their usual standards against opponents they had previously defeated 4-0 in Wrexham last Tuesday.
On a tense evening in Elbasan, Rhiannon Roberts scored the only goal, helping Wales maintain momentum in their campaign to qualify for Brazil 2027.
"Today was a hard day," said Wales head coach Wilkinson.
"I think we struggled in moments of the game, but I am really pleased that we found a way to win.
"I think that is the mark of a good team, that on off-days – and today was an off-day – we managed to figure out a way to get three points."
Wales' narrow victory keeps them second in Group B1, trailing the Czech Republic on goal difference after the Czechs defeated Montenegro 4-1 earlier on Saturday.
Wilkinson's team will face Montenegro away on Saturday, 5 June, before concluding the group phase against the Czech Republic in Cardiff four days later.
Wales hold on for scrappy victory in Albania
The contest was settled by Roberts' first-half goal, which Albania contested, believing it should have been disallowed for handball. Throughout the match, Wales struggled with possession and faced defensive challenges, including two instances where the home side struck the woodwork.
Wilkinson acknowledged the strength of the Albanian side, commending their tactical execution.
"They executed their game-plan fantastically well and made life very difficult for us," she said.
"They played a sitting five who didn't jump out as much. The midfield were the ones jumping out which gave us different types of spaces that took us a bit too long to figure out.
"In general I think there were a lot of similarities [to last Tuesday's game], but we just weren't as sharp."
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The competition to top the group—and thus secure a more advantageous position in the play-offs later this year—is likely to be decided in the final match.
"It is a hard group," Wilkinson added. "We have to make sure we show up in every game and I think we learned that today, that there are no gimmes, no givens in this group.
"We have got to make sure we earn the three points."
