Latest news with #WalesFootball
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Italy defeat 'a punch in the face'
Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson has told her side to learn from painful lessons after likening their Nations League defeat by Italy to "a punch in the face".In their final fixture before this summer's European Championships, Wales suffered their heaviest defeat under Wilkinson at the worst possible despite warning her side that "hard moments are coming", Wilkinson insisted they will be better for the loss having taken heart from an improved second half were four down at half-time as their defence crumbled in Swansea and Wilkinson said: "The first-half felt like a punch in the face."Games in this campaign have been really tight, but we haven't had a heavy defeat like this – so that first half was important because who do we want to be?"That second-half is more indicative of the Welsh team we all know. We're going to look back on it as an important moment for us." Wilkinson's side had been defensively impressive for most of their League A campaign, but before a summer in which they will face the Netherlands, France and England in their Euro 2025 group, the former Canada international said Wales were shown what happens when you "tune out"."Italy punished us for every mistake and we have to react faster," Wilkinson said, who included herself and her coaching staff in accepting they needed to learn lessons. "Hard moments are coming; this is a hard thing we're about do, the Euros are going to be very difficult."We're going to have to be at our best and what we have learned is any mistake will be punished."Wales rallied after the interval to give Wilkinson belief there will be no scarring heading towards added: "I told the players at the end we can't say this was a good performance and what happened to us wasn't good."But you do get to choose how you react to adversity. Good teams turn into great teams with how you react. How we finished is something I can be happy and proud of." Fishlock provides 'magic moment' Wales' fans in Swansea were lifted by a wonder goal from Jess Fishlock, a record-estending 47th goal in an unmatched 162 appearances for her home from 35 yards, Wilkinson repeated her appeal to fans to appreciate the 38-year-old while she still wears her country's shirt."With magic moments like that, I hope the Welsh public is aware of the special talent they have and don't take it for granted," Wilkinson said. "Whenever she's on the field something's happening." No risk over goalkeeper Clark Fishlock gained important match minutes off the bench after a recent injury lay-off, while Wilkinson will now wait for news on defenders Rhian Roberts (groin) and Mayzee Davies (knee) before naming her squad for Switzerland on 23 the Wales boss played down concern over goalkeeper Olivia Clark who left the field after a second blow to the head in as many games."She had a significant black eye from the Denmark game and we the did proper protocols for concussion, and we were positive she was in a good spot," said Wilkinson. "But when you hit your head again, you don't take risks. Two head hits in a week is not good so we decided to pull her. She will be assessed appropriately."
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Ingle training return boosts Wales before Euros
Midfielder Sophie Ingle has taken a significant step towards winning her Euro 2025 fitness race after returning to Wales training following a serious knee head coach Rhian Wilkinson says she will not push or rush the 33-year-old, who is aiming to recover in time to play a part in Wales' debut at a women's major has not featured this season after injuring her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Chelsea's pre-season win over Feyenoord last begin their campaign on 5 July against the Netherlands in Lucerne, before moving to St Gallen for their last two group games against France on 9 July and then England on 13 July. Wilkinson was also non-committal on the fitness of teenage Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, who suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of Friday's Nations League defeat in results are not expected until after Tuesday's game with Italy in Swansea, with Wilkinson saying: "Whenever you see a player go down like that you're concerned and our fingers are crossed for quick healing - but equally this is a young player and we'll do everything we can to make sure she's looked after." Wilkinson said assessment of Rhiannon Roberts is also "ongoing", with the 79-cap defender suffering a fitness issue on the eve of the 1-0 loss in Odense that confirmed the side's relegation from the top tier of the Nations the Wales boss said neither were being ruled out at this stage, with the squad for the Euros being named on 19 Wilkinson did say Ingle is "on track" to be part of that selection after the "milestone" of training with team-mates in a session before the game with Italy."It was great to see her back," said Wilkinson of the 141-cap former captain, who is also continuing rehabilitation at Chelsea despite announcing her departure from the Women's Super League (WSL) champions following the end of the season."Any injury is a lonely place to be... and one of the big gains is not just being back on the field with the ball, but being back with team-mates."She's done it with her club and now she's done it with her international team-mates."That milestone is such a boost and you could see it in her, it was a big moment."But with Wales' match with Italy their final fixture before they open their Euro 2025 campaign against Switzerland - and Ingle having not played a competitive match for so long - Wilkinson said she would remain cautious."She's in a great space and she doesn't feel like she's overextending herself, because when players in stressful situations try to rush back from major injuries that's when you can see reoccurrence," Wilkinson added that Ingle will be part of a training camp in Portugal in the tournament build-up,"That's why we want to do it properly. It's very obvious we want her with us in Switzerland, everything is tracking that way, but she will not be rushed or pushed," said Wilkinson."The most important thing is being able to play, not 90 minutes, but can she contribute?"She's aware there will be conversations coming up to the tournament and she's doing everything she needs to, to be coming to Switzerland with us."Fellow defender Lois Joel added: "Sophie's such a core part of our group, so well respected, so it's great to have her back in whatever capacity."It was great to see her smiling and kicking a ball – and she barely looks rusty."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Richardson earns Wales call-up for Italy contest
Nations League: Wales v Italy Venue: Stadium, Swansea Date: Tuesday, 3 June Kick-off: 18:30 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Advertisement Highlights: S4C and BBC iPlayer, 22:00 BST and later on demand. Amy Richardson has earned a senior call-up for Wales' final Nations League fixture against Italy on Tuesday (18:30 BST). The Celtic full-back spent the latter half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Partick Thistle having previously been part of Everton's academy. The 19-year-old has captained Wales at under-19 level and earned a senior call-up for the Euro 2025 qualifiers against Croatia and Kosovo in July last year. Rhian Wilkinson's side were relegated from League A with a 1-0 loss to Denmark in Odense on Friday night. They go in search of a first ever League A triumph when they host Italy in Swansea this week.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Richardson earns Wales call-up for Italy contest
Nations League: Wales v ItalyVenue: Stadium, Swansea Date: Tuesday, 3 June Kick-off: 18:30 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Two Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text S4C and BBC iPlayer, 22:00 BST and later on demand. Amy Richardson has earned a senior call-up for Wales' final Nations League fixture against Italy on Tuesday (18:30 BST).The Celtic full-back spent the latter half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Partick Thistle having previously been part of Everton's 19-year-old has captained Wales at under-19 level and earned a senior call-up for the Euro 2025 qualifiers against Croatia and Kosovo in July last Wilkinson's side were relegated from League A with a 1-0 loss to Denmark in Odense on Friday go in search of a first ever League A triumph when they host Italy in Swansea this week.
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bellamy happy for Biancheri to explore options
Wales boss Craig Bellamy says he is happy for Manchester United striker Gabriele Biancheri to explore his international Biancheri has been capped for Wales from under-16 to under-19 level and also qualifies to play for Canada and Italy - the birth places of his 18-year-old, a regular scorer for United youth teams, spent last week in Wales' training camp in he was not named in the 27-player squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Biancheri accepted an invitation to join Canada's training camp ahead of their games against Ukraine and the Ivory Coast. "I like people having options, it's healthy," Bellamy said."He's not ready for our squad yet. It's something he'd like to go and have a look at, but I like to think we have done our work as well."At the end the decision will be his. He knows where we are and where he is. He's not ready for first-team football with us at this moment."It's his decision. I've known him since he was very young and I know his family really well. Whatever he does will be the right thing for him, it's not a problem."Canada boss Jesse Marsch has praised Biancheri and compared him to his highly rated Lille striker Jonathan former Leeds boss told Canadian reporters last week: "He's a dynamic player. He's very good around the goal. You can see he's an intelligent player."He's a version of Jonathan David. He's not exactly the same player but he's a striker that can play up on the backline and is also good at coming underneath and connecting plays and being part of the build-up phase."I've had good conversations with Gabe and his family. He has several options to think about in what country he wants to represent."I think it's really important that the family feels the connection to Canada."
