By David Williams
Jess Fishlock is being celebrated as the pivotal figure in Welsh women’s football as she approaches a historic milestone against Kosovo.
At 37, Fishlock is already Wales’ most capped footballer on 153 appearances and is on the brink of setting a new record for international goals, needing just one more to surpass Helen Ward’s tally of 44.
In the weekend’s 3-0 victory over Croatia, Fishlock equalled Ward’s record, lifting Rhian Wilkinson’s team to the top of the UEFA Women’s Championship qualifying Group B4.
Wales captain Angharad James has heaped praise on Jess Fishlock ahead of tomorrow night's Euro 2025 qualifier against Kosovo ⚽#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/MhGrOYL5HL
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 15, 2024
They need just a draw against Kosovo at Llanelli on Tuesday night to secure their position at the top.
“I find it incredulous that not everyone knows who this woman is,” said Wales head coach Wilkinson.
“The influence she has had on the game as a whole in Wales is hard to quantify.
“Any coach in the world would want to coach Jess – but also some of the others here that, not so long ago, showed up for the national side and paid for the privilege.
“Who have had to fight misogyny, sexism, all these parts of the game, and only now are being heralded for the athletes they are.
“I love that I get to watch that for Jess. I look at her and think what she must have seen, how much the game has changed in this country she loves so much.
“The thing she – and all of them here – care the most about is to make sure the game in this country continues to improve for the next generation, and to do that we have to perform on the field.”
https://twitter.com/FAWales/status/1812801445210787907
Midfielder Angharad James will take the captain’s armband for the third time in her career.
This will be the second time under Wilkinson that James has been made skipper, but this is not yet a permanent appointment.
However, the head coach revealed she will announce a new captain soon.
“Angharad is someone that we know is an incredible leader and captain for this team. I’m very fortunate that we have an incredibly experienced team with a lot of potential captains and a lot of leaders.
“After this group stage, I will name a captain for this campaign who will work through into the Euros. It’s a good storyline we like to talk about, but internally, it doesn’t matter who wears the armband.
“Everyone leads in a different way, and they all have to show up on gameday.”
Angharad James is set to captain Wales against Kosovo tomorrow evening ✅#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/Moh163xy08
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 15, 2024
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