Wilkinson Keeps Focus as Wales Eye Historic Win Over Albania

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson is determined that her team won't take anything for granted as they head into their World Cup play-off semi-final second leg against Albania on Tuesday, holding just a 1-0 lead from the first match. Despite being favorites to inch closer to a historic World Cup appearance, Wilkinson knows that the job isn’t done yet. Her team can set a new record of 10 consecutive matches unbeaten if they secure a positive result in Llanelli. Wilkinson cautioned against complacency, recalling that her side “got away with one” during their first encounter in Shkoder. "That Albanian team are right on the edge of something special because they really fight for everything," she noted. She added, "When I talk to the experienced players in our squad, they remember what it’s like to be the underdog, fighting for every point and surprising opponents. We respect Albania; they’re a formidable side. We can't afford to sit back and relax because they will push us to the limit." Set for a showdown at Parc y Scarlets on October 13, the match will kick off at 19:15 BST and will be broadcast on BBC platforms, ensuring fans can follow every moment live. Earlier in the qualifying rounds, Wales dominated Albania with a 4-0 win in Wrexham but narrowly escaped with a 1-0 victory in their return match. Wilkinson's squad is currently ranked 31st in the world, a staggering 37 places above their Albanian counterparts, but she is adamant that her players need to match their opponents’ "effort and pride" to secure a win. "It will be a tough game," Wilkinson remarked. "If we want to leave the field with a win, we should expect to be exhausted." Wales' recent win in Albania allowed them to match a club record of nine unbeaten games, a mark set back in 2013-2014. However, Wilkinson admitted she hadn’t thought much about the potential of hitting a milestone tenth game. "What a wonderful record that would be for me, but it’s really about the team showing up and performing to a standard we can all be proud of," she said. "Regardless of the outcome, this is a remarkable team, and I’ll stand by them through it all. But we know we want to strive for more, both for ourselves and our fans." Currently, Wales are dealing with the absence of nine key players due to injuries, including Olivia Clark and Hayley Ladd, which poses a challenge. Wilkinson is hopeful that some of these players will be fit if they advance to a two-legged play-off final in December. Should they progress, a likely matchup against Norway awaits—who secured a 2-0 victory in their semi-final first leg against Romania. Even if Wales manage to pull off an upset against Norway, they may face additional inter-confederation play-offs next February to secure a spot in Brazil. Wilkinson remains focused on the present, stating, "It’s one step at a time. We’re not looking too far ahead; our ultimate goal is in the distance, and we’re working hard to reach it."