By Jacob Maddaford
Wales captain Sophie Ingle has described how there is “a lot of positive detail” from Rhian Wilkinson’s first camp as Wales manager.
Midfielder Ingle, who has won four Women’s Super League titles with Chelsea, will hope to help the national team off to a winning start to their Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.
“It’s been good,” Ingle said, ahead of the home clash against Croatia in Wrexham on Friday night – the first since Wlkinson took over from the departed Gemma Grainger.
“We’ve only had a few training sessions, but it’s about us getting to know her. So far, so good.”
Wales go into this campaign on the back of a Nations League effort that ended with relegation from the top group.
“It was always going to be tough, we were playing top opposition,” added Ingle.
After speaking to Rhian Wilkinson and Sophie Ingle, I think we should be very optimistic. The vibes are good, and the players seem to be on board with Wilkinson’s style.
Wilkinson also talked about the importance of playing across Wales.@YClwbPelDroed https://t.co/dySo8Cwqpk
— Siôn Misra (@sionmisra) April 4, 2024
“But we learned so much from those games and realised where we need to be.”
“If we want to get to a major tournament, we will be playing those teams.
“To end the campaign with a good result against Germany was phenomenal for us and we hopefully can continue that now.”
“Even in some of those games, we’ve been scoring against top opposition, and that’s given us a lot of confidence as a team.”
Ingle, 32, insist her team are enjoying playing again at The Racecourse, where Wales are set to play their first game at the venue since March 2020.
“We don’t come here very often. It’s nice being back in Wrexham and hopefully we can put on a show for the fans.”
Wales host Croatia, with United trio @HayleyLadd, @GemmaEvans19 and Mayzee Davies all in their squad pic.twitter.com/tZnbucPrN3
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 5, 2024
New manager Wilkinson is also a big supporter of the FAW policy of spreading the fixtures around the country.
“It’s critical that the Welsh women are seen across this country, and all the young players see these icons of the game,” said the former Canadian ahead of her first match in charge.
“It’s easy to put on games in Cardiff. There are big stadiums and a lot of people.
“I’ve got to come out and support the games that aren’t in the major cities, so it’s easier for me and the rest of the FAW to push playing across the country.”
Wales host Croatia, hopeful they can get off to a good start as they bid to do what the men’s team under Rob Page could not manage – qualification for the next European Championships.