Parc y Scarlets
31 May 2024
UEFA Women’s Championship Qualification League B – Group 4
Stephen Baker @StepheJBaker takes a look back at a disappointing night for Cymru as they are held 1-1 by Ukraine at Parc Y Scarlets.
This was Cymru’s third match of the over complicated Euro qualifying campaign; with them sitting top of the group after beating Croatia 4-0 and Kosovo 6-0. The first match of a double header with Ukraine, the second match in Poland on Tuesday.
Embed from Getty ImagesA crowd of just over 4,000 came to watch the Rhian Wilkinson revolution, with Cymru making four changes to the side that hammered Kosovo. New captain Angharad James back in the side, and Rhiannon Roberts back in defence replacing Josie Green. Ffion Morgan got a rare start at right wing-back and Mary McAteer got her first senior start as the lone striker, ahead of Kayleigh Barton.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe match started disastrously for Cymru when, in the third minute, there was a rare mistake from the ever reliable Rhiannon Roberts. After a one-two with Olivia Clark in goal, Roberts passed across the box. Unfortunately, it went to the waiting Veronica Andrukhiv who passed it into an open net.
With Ukraine being Cymru’s toughest opponent in the group, only two places behind Cymru in the FIFA World Rankings (34th to Cymru in 32nd) it was always going to be a tough night even before they were gifted a goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe rest of the half Cymru spent attacking, but were never able to get that final ball into the box, despite the best efforts of Ffion Morgan on the right wing. Ukraine never looked like getting a second though.
For the start of the second half Cymru made changes with Rachel Rowe replacing Ffion Morgan and Kayleigh Barton replacing Mary McAteer. Morgan was unlucky to be replaced, so was McAteer. The striker did not get that final ball and was unable to make anything from the ball fed to her. But the changes were needed if Cymru were going to get anything from this match.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the changes made, Cymru started to get into the box more. They finally made a breakthrough when, in the 64th minute, Olga Basanska handled the ball in the penalty area. Kayleigh Barton stepped up and slotted home the penalty.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith twenty-five minutes left there only looked like there would be one winner, with Cymru doing all the attacking. Ukraine only rarely got into the Cymru half. But it was not going to be Cymru’s night, with the match ending 1-1.
Cymru stays top of the group with seven points, with Croatia in second with six points. It’s now on to Poland on Tuesday where the return match with Ukraine is being played.