By David Williams
Rhian Wilkinson believes Wales should embrace their opportunity in the Euro 2025 play-off final as they aim to reach their first major tournament.
While history beckons, captain Angharad James has underlined the importance of her teammates staying focused on the task at hand, rather than being overwhelmed by the occasion.
Wales will host the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Friday before traveling to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for Tuesday’s second leg.
The winner will secure a place at next summer’s European Championship in Switzerland.
The Republic of Ireland broke new ground by qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but Wales are still chasing their first major tournament appearance after narrowly missing out in previous play-offs.
“To be able to say that there’s going to be a record crowd there tomorrow is a great achievement and shows how far we’ve come as a nation.” @AngharadJames16 ♥️#ForHer | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/2vdXpsIPyM
— Wales (@Cymru) November 28, 2024
Wilkinson, the Wales head coach, believes her team has nothing to lose.
“We’ve never done it before and we’ve got nothing to be fearful of. We have nothing to protect,” she says.
“When you haven’t done something before you always have that challenge to be the first. This is the attitude we have.
“Ireland have been there before and they’ll potentially have that fear of not going again.
“We have two incredible challenges ahead of us, but these are the games that are meaningful and have pressure on them – and that’s a privilege.”
Skipper James echoed Wilkinson’s sentiments, emphasising the importance of preparation and perspective.
“Whenever we pull on that red jersey, every game is just as important as any other, and that’s how we’ve tried to prepare for this game,” says James.
“As a group, we are ready. These are the games we want to play in. We have prepared well and are really looking forward to it.
“It feels like a landmark moment for the game in Wales. To have a record crowd for the home game is great and shows how far we’ve come as a nation.
“It’s a great achievement for us, because we are looking to inspire the next generation too. To see the fans there, little girls and boys who might be in our position one day, we take that really seriously.”
The Republic of Ireland, ranked 24th in the world and five places above Wales, cruised past Georgia 9-0 on aggregate in their semi-final.
Wales, in contrast, needed extra time to edge Slovakia 3-2 over two legs. However, Wales can take confidence from a 2-0 victory over the Republic in a February friendly.
“Obviously that helps,” Wilkinson said, recalling the match in Dublin, which she watched just hours after being appointed as head coach.
“Winning is always going to breed confidence and success and positivity.
“But that team is not the same and we are not the same as we were in February, so it’s a brand new challenge.
“We know they are absolutely beatable because of the game in February, but equally we’ll have to be better than we were then to beat them again.”
Wales’ all-time leading scorer Jess Fishlock, who hasn’t featured since the Slovakia game, is fit to start in Cardiff.
Jess Fishlock Drags Wales To The Brink Of History . . . But Rhian Wilkinson Knows They Must Improve
Fishlock’s experience will be crucial, as Wales look to overcome a Republic side missing key players Louise Quinn, Ellen Molloy, Lucy Quinn, and Jess Ziu due to injuries.
However, London City Lionesses duo Megan Campbell and Ruesha Littlejohn are available for the visitors.
Republic of Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson sees little separating the two sides.
“It’s a very evenly matched tie,” she said.
“In terms of squad profile and the level that girls play at, it’s nearly identical.
“We played them in February, they beat us well. So we know they’ve got strength in depth, some really strong key players like ourselves.”
As Wales prepare for this pivotal tie, James has reflected on the wider significance of the moment.
“It feels like a landmark moment for the game in Wales,” she said.
“To have a record crowd for the home game is great and shows how far we’ve come as a nation.”
