By Hannah Blackwell
Gemma Grainger believes it is “our turn” after her Wales team moved to within one point of World Cup play-off participation.
The Wales manager has urged fans to turn out in their numbers on Tuesday night as the women’s national side bid to emulate the men’s team in reaching the tournament finals.
A gritty 1-0 victory in Greece on Friday night has left Wales needing just a point at home to Slovenia on Tuesday at Cardiff City Stadium to clinch their play-off reward.
A record crowd will be in attendance and Grainger is hoping it could top 10,000.
“We know what position we have put ourselves in and we know now that we will flip to Slovenia,” said Grainger.
“The fans are huge to us, we have broken the record by a long way, but we want to see more than 10,000 because they are huge.
Watch Carrie Jones score her first international goal as Wales move a step closer to the Women’s World Cup by beating Greece 1-0 in Volos ⚽#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) September 2, 2022
“We have seen it with Rob [Page] and the men’s team and now it’s our turn. The fans will make the difference.”
Carrie Jones’ first international goal settled the contest in Volos, the teenager slotting home at the second attempt in the 34th minute after Gemma Evans had flicked on a long free-kick into the box.
The three-point haul in their penultimate qualifier keeps Wales second in Group I and they will clinch a play-off spot if they avoid defeat against third-placed Slovenia in Cardiff next Tuesday.
“We know that getting to the play-offs is where we want to be,” added Grainger.
“We feel the same as we did last September – we are right on track.
“We have put ourselves in this position where we need only a point, but we’ll absolutely prepare to go and win that game because they are the standards that we have as a team. They are the standards whoever we play.
FT | 🇬🇷 0-1 🏴
Job done 👍
It’s now all about Slovenia in Cardiff on Tuesday. We can secure a #FIFAWWC Play-Off place with one more point.
We need #TheRedWall behind us.
You know what to do 👇🎟Get your tickets here: https://t.co/hsH0UFCPVt #BeFootball | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/nGOxvdzAN5
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 2, 2022
Jess Fishlock, Wales’ most-capped player, was an unused substitute with Grainger revealing the midfielder had picked up an injury in training.
“To see Carrie Jones get her first senior goal, to see our players preparing to that level after we made a change to the team after Jess [Fishlock] picked up a knock, then being able to execute to that level – we want to be a tournament team and we know tournament teams have depth.
“It’s very pleasing for a number of reasons but getting into the final game knowing we need a point, and that that’s a position we have put ourselves in, is really pleasing.
“Our game management was exceptional tonight and this team haven’t had to do that. For the best teams, 1-0 is a great result.”
On whether or not Fishlock will play on Tuesday, Grainger added: “We hope [she will be involved against Slovenia]. That’s the plan.
“But we have players in this team that can step in and everyone prepares. It’s just a knock in training. If she is ready, great, if she is not then we have got players who can come in.”