Germany 5-1 Cymru

PreZero Arena, Germany

27th October 2023

Stephen @stephenjbaker with a match report that echoes some frustrations and some hope ….

Cymru took on two time world cup winners Germany in the PreZero Arena, the home of Hoffenheim FC. Making two changes from the last game against Denmark. Kayleigh Green returning from injury along with Hannah Cain replacing Rachel Rowe who is out through injury and Carrie Jones dropping to bench. The home side making five changes with superstar Alexandra Popp unavailable due to injury.

From the first whistle it was Germany attacking, forcing six corners within the first 20 minutes of the match. With the closest they came to scoring was in the tenth minute Giulia Gwinn close range header was cleared off the line by Kayleigh Green.

Cymru didn’t make it into the German half until the 21st minute when Hannah Cain broke down the right wing, crossing the ball into the box but unfortunately no Cymru players had made it that far forward. They came close again a minute later when from an excellent volley pass from Sophie Ingle to Jess Fishlock on the right wing again just missing Cain and the outstretched Carrie Holland.

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With Hannah Cain off the pitch receiving treatment from that pervious Cymru attack, Germany made the most of the woman advantage, attacking down the left, Sarai Linder’s cross was met by the unmarked Lea Schuller who headed in from seven yards out.

Then in what looked like being a turning point in the match, with four minutes in the half, Laura Freigang broke into the Cymru box when her low shot was excellently saved by the outstretched foot of Olivia Clark. A minute later saw one of the best Cymru team goals scored in recent memory, one that we will be watching over and over again. 

It started with Sophie Ingle passing out to Jess Fishlock who took the ball down the right wing and cut inside, doing a 1-2 with Ingle then on to James. James passes it back to Ingle who then crossed it into James again. The deftest flick on to Holland, on the edge of six yard box, and she knocks it into the back of the net. A total football goal scored by Holland!

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The second half started with the hope that this could be the night for Cymru, but as they saying goes; it’s the hope that kills you. One minute into the second half Schuller scored an identical goal to her one in the first half. A free header giving Olivia Clark no chance in goal.

Speaking of Olivia Clark, she was excellent tonight. Despite the final score line, she produced several fine saves and should be proud of her performance tonight. If it wasn’t for her, I dread to think what the score could have been. A performance that reminded of the time Neville Southall won Man of Match in a 7-1 defeat against Holland.

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After staying in the match for 80 minutes it all fell apart for Cymru. First a penalty scored by Gwinn after a foul by Sophie Ingle was spotted by the referee. Six minutes later Rhiannon Roberts deflected a shot by substitute Sjoeke Nusken. Two minutes later Germany made it 5-1, when a deflected crossed to the far post was tapped in Nicole Anyomi, just a minute after coming on.

This might sound strange but this was a different 5-1 defeat to the one against Denmark. Cymru was still in the match with 10 minutes to go thanks to the Cymru back four and Olivia Clark. But our players were out on their feet and the first substitute wasn’t made till the 86th minute. Ffion Morgan came off the bench, whose recent performances had many of us hoping she would have started. And Mary McAteer coming on up-front three minutes later, makes you wonder that if reinforcements in defence had come on sooner, could this have been a different night for Cymru? Now on to Denmark … again.

Germany Cymru

  • 1 Berger 12 Clark
  • 15 Gwinn   5 Roberts
  • 3 Hendrich 14 Ladd
  • 5 Hegering   3 Evans
  • 2 Linder   2 Woodham
  • 6 Oberdorf   8 James
  • 10 Freigang 10 Fishlock
  • 13 Dabritz   4 Ingle
  • 9 Huth   9 Green
  • 7 Schuller 11 Cain
  • 19 Buhl   7 Holland
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