Rhian Wilkinson admitted Wales were fortunate to escape with a point after Elise Hughes’ stoppage-time header rescued a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic in their opening Women’s World Cup qualifier.
For long spells in Uherske Hradiste, Wales were second best.
Defensive frailties at set-pieces and inconsistent passing left them chasing the contest, and it required a 93rd-minute intervention from Hughes to avoid a damaging defeat in what is expected to be a decisive battle for top spot in Group B1.
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Wilkinson did not attempt to disguise her side’s shortcomings.
"I don't think it was our best performance but we did know that this was going to be a huge battle for us against a really top team at home, so we were going to have to show up and deliver," the Wales head coach said.
"There were moments in that game where I didn't think we were good enough."
The warning signs had been evident from early on.
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Eva Bartonova bundled the hosts in front after 16 minutes, profiting from a corner as Wales struggled to clear their lines.
Hannah Cain restored parity before the break, finishing crisply after being picked out by Lily Woodham, but defensive vulnerabilities resurfaced soon after half-time.
Bartonova was again central, working space on the right before lifting a cross that Jana Zufankova converted at the far post to re-establish the Czech advantage.
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With Jess Fishlock now retired from international football, this marked a new era for Wales in competitive action.
Yet the absence of their record scorer was not used as mitigation by Wilkinson, who instead acknowledged how close her side were to leaving empty-handed.
"I don't think we can lie about the performance but I'm proud that we stuck in the game, good teams find a way.
"We had an off day and we found a way, which we haven't done in the past.
"Our passing standard and during transitional moments we weren't at our best, but it's a good point and a starting point.
"We'll keep putting attention on defending set pieces, I haven't looked back at the goals yet so I don't want to say what went wrong but we weren't strong enough.
"We're halfway through this camp, there are improvement areas, and we have to fix them.
"I thought all our finishers (substitutes) had a good impact, that's another positive. When we started playing through the midfield you could see our quality.
"We knew it was going to be a battle, so to get a point away from home is a good result."
Hughes’ late equaliser — her fifth goal for Wales — arrived when Gemma Evans delivered a deep cross that the substitute guided home with precision.
It was a moment that could yet shape the group standings when qualifying concludes in June.
"That is what we talked about before the game and we prepared for - if we get a tie (draw) away, are we happy with it?" Wilkinson added.
"It's a big tie and we're pleased with that."
Wilkinson also highlighted the contribution of her bench, with several players altering the momentum late on.
"We've got to make sure we keep testing our depth and giving players opportunities to shine like Elise did today," she said.
"I thought Mared also came on and made a difference, Carrie Jones came in, so a lot of performances that were important for us tonight."
Ultimately, this was a result Wales clung to rather than controlled. Twice they fell behind, twice they responded, and while the display fell short of their standards, the resilience may yet prove valuable.
Next up is Montenegro in Llanelli on Saturday, where improvement will be required.
