Wales and Czech Republic in stalemate
Women's Football Wales International News - 3 Mar 2017
Wales and Czech Republic drew 0-0 at Tasos Marko Stadium as Jayne Ludlow's side remain unbeaten in this years Cyprus Women's Cup.
Wales made a good start to the game with Kayleigh Green coming close with numerous chances in the first 20 minutes and Natasha Harding also saw a shot fired over the crossbar.
Wales keeper Laura O'Sullivan did well not to concede on several occasions in the first half, tipping the ball over the cross bar from a corner while also later collecting a fierce free kick before Czech Republic's Petra Bertholdova took a strike at goal that was luckily blocked by youngster Gemma Evans.
Wales returned the attacking force with Green sending the ball up the middle with Ward on the receiving end. Ward failed to get past the defence and relied on a good shot from Rachel Rowe but the Czech Republic keeper managed to regain possession.
Before the half time whistle, Czech Republic turned up the heat resulting in two opportunities that could have placed themselves on the scoresheet but another superb block from Evans and a sliding tackle from Angharad James saw the score level.
Wales came out fighting in the second half, remaining in the Czech Republic half for the majority with chances from Green and Evans.
A near own goal could have opened the scoring for Wales when Jessica Fishlock played it over the top to Green, but the Czech Republic centre back defended well and when returning the ball to the keeper, the ball just nearly made the bottom left of the net.
Wales had a chance to snatch all three points in the remaining minutes of the game with opportunities from James and Rowe with an overhead shot at goal before the referee brought the game to a close.
Wales midfielder, Jessica Fishlock, commented on today's performance: "I think the second game here is always the hardest because you are have such a short turn around from the first game.
"It was frustrating. We couldn't quite get our attacking game going today, which is a shame. But defensively I thought we were strong and again showed that we're a really hard team to beat.
"I think Czech Republic were really dangerous in set plays and they were always going to pose a threat from there but Laura O'Sullivan was fantastic and came and took everything. She really nullified that threat for them, which was great for us."
Wales were previously beaten by Czech Republic 1-0 in last years Cyprus Women's Cup with a 86th minute goal.
Fishlock commented on their current form: "Since last year, I think we've grown. You can see that from our performance against Hungary and again this performance today. We're growing and we've just got to keep moving forward, take the positives and work on the things that we probably didn't do well enough. That's normal from this tournament. All in all, I think two great games and two great results."
Wales face Republic of Ireland on Monday 6th March at Tasos Marko Stadium.
Fishlock is looking forward to the challenge: "I think it's going to be a good game. After today both teams will have two days rest, which is nice. I think hopefully we can get back to the way we want to play, cause some threats and who ever wins on Monday will go on to potentially win the group which is something we want to do."
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