By Hannah Blackwell
Wales goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan is set to earn her 50th cap when she takes the field against Scotland in Spain on Wednesday.
The Cardiff City Ladies No.1 will reach the landmark when Gemma Grainger’s side play their first match of the invitational Pinatar Cup tournament.
O’Sullivan, 30, who has been her country’s first choice for the past five years, insists her standards have had to raise since the emergence of rivals to her position, Poppy Soper and Olivia Clark.
“You need competition and people pushing you if you are going to improve and be kept on your toes,” says Sullivan.
“They are both brilliant goalkeepers and they are pushing me for the starting spot.
“This a huge a huge milestone for me, especially as someone who did not start playing until late on.”
There may also be further milestones to celebrate later in the tournament, with Helen Ward and Laura O’Sullivan on 97 and 49 caps respectively.
Congratulations to our Laura O’Sullivan who’s been called up to the upcoming Wales squad🤩🏴
Thoroughly deserved👏🏻#WeAreCity @K2theroll pic.twitter.com/PS26MuEfUm
— Cardiff City LFC (@CardiffCityLFC) February 9, 2022
The Pinatar Cup is a knockout format, but placement matches will guarantee three fixtures for every team.
Wales will face Scotland in their opening game on February 16 before a match against either Belgium or Slovakia three days later.
Grainger’s side will then play a third match against either Russia, Poland, Republic of Ireland, or Hungary on February 22.
Wales will look to build on the momentum of a strong start to the 2023 FIFA World Cup campaign, where they currently sit second in the qualifying round group.
Reading forward Rachel Rowe has returned to the squad after she missed the November international window due to a hamstring injury.
Sophie Ingle, Jess Fishlock and Tash Harding are among the regulars selected as Wales enter the competition for the first time.
📺 CONFIRMED: Tomorrow’s opening match in the Pinatar Cup against Scotland will be shown live on @BBCiPlayer and the @BBCSport website.
KO 14:30 GMT.#TogetherStronger | #BeFootball pic.twitter.com/cm2tfosmuw
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) February 15, 2022
Following the Pinatar Cup, Wales will return to World Cup qualifying action when they host France on April 8.
Grainger said: “It’s going to be warmer and it gives us an opportunity to do things in a different way, not only in terms of coaching, but with the time we spend with the players and the things that we do, and I’m excited for that.
“I also want the players and staff to be in the mindset that we want to qualify for major tournaments and come into these environments more and more.”