Cymru v Ireland
Cardiff City Stadium
29th November 2024
Playoff Final 1st Leg
A record crowd of just under 17,000 turned up for the 1st Leg of the Playoff Final in the Cardiff City Stadium. The supporters roared on Cymru Women in their attempt to make it to Euro ‘25, their first ever international tournament. But just like most finals this was a cagey affair, where the fear of losing is greater than going for the win.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe game started with both sides trying to take control of the midfield, never really going forward or making any kind of threat on goal. That was until 20 minutes into the game when Hayley Ladd from the edge of the centre circle in the Cyrmu half, passed it out to the right hand side touchline. Recipient Ceri Holland spotted Jess Fishlock making a run down the wing. The legend Fishlock crossed the ball in from the by-line, just missing Ffion Morgan on the near post. The ball kept going through to the far post, where Lily Woodham was there to knock it in from 8 yards out. Sending Y Wal Goch into wild celebrations.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnfortunately, the lead only lasted 14 minutes when, after numerous attempts, the Cymru defence just couldn’t get the ball far enough away from the box, despite their best efforts. Finally the ball fell to Ruesha Littlejohn who, with a quick look up, spotted Olivia Clark only a couple of yards off her line. Littlejohn tried to lob Clark. The excellent Cymru keeper, who has kept Cymru in many a game, managed to get her hand to the ball only for it to come back off the crossbar, hitting Clark on the back of the head and into the empty net.
Embed from Getty ImagesOlivia Clark who is one of the main reasons that Cymru is in this playoff final was very unlucky to concede that way, but she managed to keep her head up and produced an excellent save late in the second half.
After the quarter of an hour bookended by goals, the game went back to the tense, nail bitting game it was at the start. With the half time whistle, the record breaking Y Wal Goch had a few minutes break to relax before the tension of the second half started.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe second half was more of the same, not a pretty watch for those in attendance. The closest it came to another goal was in the 76th minute. After a short corner, the ball managed to reach Caitlin Hayes on the penalty spot. She turned and took a shot, which brilliantly tipped over the bar by Olivia Clark, keeping Cymru’s hopes alive. After the great save the game went back to the midfield battle till the final whistle, 1-1 score line leaving it all on the 2nd leg.
Embed from Getty ImagesSo, as the old football cliché goes, it’s just half time in the tie. The winner takes all game takes place on Tuesday in Dublin.
Pob lwc Ferched Cymru, rydych chi wedi gwneud ni’n falch yn barod.
Report by @StephenJBaker