Wilkinson salutes Wales' World Cup 'finishers'
Rhian Wilkinson has been Wales boss for just over two years.
Rhian Wilkinson highlights the influence of her "finishers" as a sign of the growing depth available to Wales as they pursue qualification for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Wales began their campaign for Brazil with a commendable 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, secured by a stoppage-time equaliser from Elise Hughes.
Crystal Palace forward Hughes entered the match off the bench alongside players such as Carrie Jones, Mared Griffiths, and Mia Ross, contributing to Wales earning what could be a crucial point.
Wilkinson's side will play their second Group B1 match against Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday. The Wales head coach expressed that she is "learning more and more" about the "depth of our squad."
"I'd like to publicly just highlight the finishers - the players who don't start," the Wales head coach said.
"I think everyone puts a lot of attention on who starts. That's historical. The players that came on finished the game, they did exactly what I'd asked of them - to show up and deliver and to change the game for us."
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Hughes scored her fifth international goal with a header from Gemma Evans' cross, preventing a costly opening defeat against the Czechs, who are considered Wales' main rivals in the battle to top the group.
Hughes, 24, was substituted in midway through the second half in Uherske Hradiste, replacing Wales' first-half goalscorer Hannah Cain.
"This is where we're at now with Wales, that a player of Elise Hughes' calibre is coming into a game and you saw her skillsets," Wilkinson added.
Hughes is expected to seek more playing time as Wales face Montenegro in their first competitive home fixture since the 4-1 Nations League loss to Italy in Swansea last June.
Manchester United's Safia Middleton-Patel will start in goal for Wales, replacing Olivia Clark, who suffered an injury scare during training on Friday. Wilkinson suggested that additional changes to the lineup may occur.
Captain Angharad James emphasized the significance of Wilkinson's substitutes in the recent match, noting that many players are "ready to go" if called upon.
"We are a squad now - it's not just an XI," the 140-cap midfielder said.
"Elise and other players came into the [Czech Republic] game and changed the game for us.
"I'm so happy personally for Elise. She works really hard every day on the training field and to get that moment gives her all the confidence hopefully that she needs going into [Montenegro]."
Wilkinson enjoys players' ambition
On paper, Wales' opening fixture of this campaign was their most challenging, given that the Czech Republic are ranked 31st globally, just one place above Wales.
Montenegro is ranked 84th in the FIFA rankings, while Albania, the fourth nation in the group, is ranked 71st.
Following the draw with the Czech Republic, Hughes stated that Wales should aim to win their remaining five group matches.
Although Wales have won only one of their last 14 internationals, many against strong opposition, Seattle Reign's Angharad James agrees with Hughes' assessment.
"We had a tough year last year with the teams that we played against, but we've come out stronger," James said.
"I think within this group, I have every confidence that we can go out and perform and win every game."
Wilkinson, who guided Wales to their first women's major tournament last year, expressed enthusiasm about the confidence within her squad.
"I like that my players are so freely and so confidently saying what our ambitions are and not being frightened to do that," she said.
"We're all clear that we're on a journey to improve and to get better and to challenge top nations, and to be probably more consistent in delivering to that standard.
"I think the last three games against opponents ranked ahead of us, we haven't lost, so let's go for it."
Wales aim for World Cup qualifying winning run
Wilkinson savours 'big' result after opening draw
'90 minutes to show our fans a new performance'
Because Wales are in League B, they do not have an automatic qualification spot and are targeting first place in their group to secure a more favorable play-off route later this year.
Finishing first would mean Wales face a first-round play-off against a team finishing second or third in a League B group.
If Wales finish second or third, they would face a team finishing fourth in League A or a Group B winner.
The second round of the play-offs is seeded, and if Wales advance, they would likely face League A opposition.
Even winning at that stage may not guarantee qualification, as the lowest-ranked of the eight European teams advancing through the play-offs—potentially Wales—would enter inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027.
Currently, the focus is short-term, and anything less than a win against Montenegro would significantly damage Wales' chances.
Montenegro, promoted after an unbeaten Nations League campaign in League C last year, were defeated 2-1 at home by Albania on Tuesday.
Wilkinson stresses there is no room for complacency against opponents who are "filled with pride."
"Every game is 90 minutes and that's where you get upsets and that's where you get a team that doesn't show up and a team that has luck or whatever it is," she added.
"We've got 90 minutes to show our fans a new performance and hopefully an improved one from the other night."
