By Harry Corish
Jess Fishlock has told her Wales teammates to be fearless and carefree when they go to Switzerland next week for another step on the road towards their World Cup dream.
Fishlock has realised one ambition – scoring a spectacular World Cup play-off winner for Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina in front of a record Cardiff crowd for a Wales women’s international of 15,200.
The 35-year-old midfielder’s extra-time volley gave Wales a 1-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium as the Dragons advanced to a European play-off final in Switzerland on Tuesday.
If Wales overcome that obstacle, they will probably face an inter-continental play-off in February to qualify for next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Wales can still qualify via the two routes available to them, but face a tough task to qualify outright next week, because they are required to beat Switzerland by two clear goals in out in Zurich.
So often the inspiration, the creative influence and the decisive matchwinner for her team, Fishlock insisted: “We’ve got nothing to lose in Switzerland. What have we got to be scared of? Let’s go and enjoy it.
“We have no pressure on us, no one expects us to win,”
Jessica Fishlock 🔥
Outstanding finish 👌pic.twitter.com/Iu8bqMMbjS
— TheWelshDragon 🏴🐉 (@TheWelshDragon9) October 6, 2022
Switzerland are a higher ranked team than Wales and reached the finals of this year’s European Championships, but Wales feel they are on a mission after an unbeaten stretch of five matches in which they have not conceded a goal.
They had four goals ruled out for offside on Thursday night – including one disallowed striker from Fishlock and another by substitute Ffion Morgan that looked a dubious call – but kept their conviction and belief before their OL Reign star struck in first half extra time.
“It was one of those moments you kind of dream of, and the celebration was epic.
“I didn’t even know what to do and I ended up sliding, which is not me.
“It was pure emotion we have for each other and pure relief. I don’t think I’ve felt something like that before to be honest.”
US-based Fishlock, a two-time Champions League winner who has won nine domestic titles in her celebrated playing career, paid tribute to her team-mates as Wales seek to qualify for a first major tournament.
She said: “This group has changed an entire nation off the field in what we’ve done on the field.
GET INNNNNNNNN !!
What an incredible moment to tonight was.
I will get a lot written about me .. but this group, these players. I was exhausted tonight and they ran and ran and ran for me and with me til the end.
Thank you Wales women football team.
I love you.
— Jessica Fishlock MBE (@JessFishlock) October 6, 2022
“We have never have been in this situation before. But this group has mentality, fight and belief, and we are going to be better for this game.
“This group is so much bigger than one person. We all know our jobs and our roles.
“I know my role is producing and creating for this team, taking it to another level and I have done that.
Head coach Gemma Grainger said Wales never lost belief after dominating the game and having four goals disallowed.
Kayleigh Green saw two efforts ruled out for offside before Morgan and Fishlock were also denied by a flagging assistant in the final 10 minutes.
Grainger said: “To have four disallowed goals it’s hard not to be disappointed. But we were relentless and never wavered.
“We knew we were the better team, but the crowd kept us going after disallowed goal after disallowed goal.”
Wales Manager Gemma Grainger Backs The Use Of VAR . . . As Wales Begin Their World Cup Play-Off Journey https://t.co/ARxER1RKJE
— Dai Sport (@Dai_Sport_) October 6, 2022
On their Switzerland mission and quick five-day turnaround, Grainger said: “In a (European) final of a World Cup play-off, I’m not sure if it matters what you’ve done in previous games.
“I don’t think anything will stop these girls in terms of tiredness.
“We know we won’t be favourites in Switzerland, they’re a higher ranked team and have just played in the European Championship.
“But the belief in this team is let’s flip it. Everyone will think Switzerland will win and we’ve got to use that to our advantage.
“Bosnia showed us what the underdog mentality is, and we have got the belief to perform against higher ranked opposition.”
Bosnian goalkeeper Almina Hodzic made a number of superb saves to keep Wales out but Grainger’s side were also guilty of being wasteful in front of goal and often with their final ball.
Speaking about the influence of matchwinner Fishlock, Grainger added: “What we know about big players is that they turn up in the big moments and that is what Jess has done again tonight.
Wales team lined up along the front of the Ninian signing shirts and bucket hats after the game for young girls.
15,000 at CCS to see that Fishlock goal, a major moment for women’s football and women’s sport generally in the country. pic.twitter.com/qiqNou70do
— Dan Pearce (@Pearcey149) October 6, 2022
“We know what it means to her and what it means to every player, but Jess stepping up and producing that quality was unbelievable.
“It is great to have her experience and what we see her do in the NWSL week-in, week-out, we want her to come and do that here and that is what she wants to do. She has given everything tonight, she is absolutely dedicated to making sure she can perform for the team.
“For us as a team, we know why we do what we do and we talk about that a lot in the changing room.
“It is about being authentic and it’s about making sure when people come to see you play, they want to come back.
“I think the women’s game has a very special atmosphere. I think it is a different crowd to the men’s game.
“I think we need to keep focussing on what we are creating and hopefully next time we play we can get even more people coming back.”