By Graham Thomas
Rhiannon Roberts is determined to top up her feelgood factor when Wales host France on Friday night in their crucial World Cup qualifier.
The Liverpool defender has already achieved one successful mission this season by sealing promotion with her club at the weekend after a 4-2 victory at Bristol City.
The win extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Championship to 19 games and confirmed them as champions.
More significantly, it means the club will be back in the Women’s Super League next season after a two-year absence.
Roberts had no time for celebrations at Ashton Gate on Sunday night, though, as she left immediately to meet up with her Wales teammates, in preparation for the game against France.
Wales currently lay in second place in their group, behind the French, and look well placed to claim a play-off spot for the finals.
“I will have to wait for the celebrations with Liverpool – probably until we have played the Sheffield United game at home,” says Roberts.
“My priority is now Wales and the two huge matches to come – France at home and then Kazakhstan away, so something to look forward to.
“The France game is going to be another massive occasion and hopefully another record crowd. It was a record for our last home game and the environment we now play in is unbelievable.
“Hopefully, we can put on another show for the thousands who come along.”
If more than 5,445 fans attend Friday’s clash at Parc y Scarlets – which looks inevitable – then Wales will have another record attendance for a women’s game.
For Roberts that would be two record gates inside a week. The crowd of 5,500 for Liverpool’s visit to Bristol City – their nearest challengers in the league this season – was also a new high for a women’s fixture at Championship level.
For Chester-born Roberts, the rising number of supporters is just a reflection of a game that is on a steep upward trend.
Her hope, now, is that the WSL is extended from its current 12-club structure to include more clubs pushing from the Championship.
“Women’s football is getting bigger and better every year and that extends from the WSL to the Championship.
“This season it seems better than ever and I think there is a good opportunity now to extend the top league.
“There are clubs everywhere now who are putting more money into the women’s game and you can tell the quality is going up.
“I’m involved with coaching of younger players and I look at them and think, ‘Wow!’ – you players are so much better than I was at your age.
Getting that trophy lifting practice in early 🥰🏆 pic.twitter.com/TFFnb5I58g
— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW) April 4, 2022
“The technical ability of young players now is just unbelievable. The kids who are coming through now are exceptional and I think that improvement is just going to continue to rocket.”
Wales face France on Friday night, before heading out to meet Kazakhstan in Nur-Sultan next Tuesday .
Their qualifying campaign then closes with two games in September – away to Greece and home to Slovenia.
