Wales take on Slovakia in a two-legged semi-final at the end of this month as they seek to qualify for Women’s Euro 2025. It would be the team’s first major tournament finals and the fulfilment of a cherished ambition for so many past players, as Alys Haynes reports. Wales may be on the threshold of history, but they have not forgotten their past.

Omer Riza still insists he wants the Cardiff City job as his own despite the fact the club remain at the foot of the Championship. Current caretaker Riza appeared to have done his cause a power of good when the Bluebirds went 1-0 at Bristol City and appeared in sight of back-to-back victories.

Luke Williams admits he will head into the international break with a deep sense of frustration that Swansea City are no better than mid-table in the Championship. A goalless draw at home to Stoke City has left the Swans in 11th position and without a victory in their last three matches.

Lee Trundle used to score goals for fun in his pomp for Swansea City and he is still hitting the back of the net at the age of 47. An ambassador for the Swans these days, Trundle says he wants to carry on playing until he is at least 50 years old.

Wales have named Angharad James as captain on a permanent basis ahead of their Women’s Euro 2025 play-off tie with Slovakia. Seattle Reign midfielder James succeeds Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle, who stepped down in April after nine years in the job. The 122-times capped James has previously taken the armband three times in Euro 2025 qualifying as head coach Rhian Wilkinson rotated the role.

Brennan Johnson was given another vote of confidence by Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou after the Wales striker maintained his rich scoring streak. Johnson scored the crucial second goal for Spurs as they beat Hungarians Ferencvaros 2-1, in the Europa League at the Groupama Arena.

Craig Harrison was proud of his players after The New Saints put up impressive resistance before falling to a 2-0 defeat against Fiorentina on a historic night in Italy. TNS are the first Welsh League club to progress past the qualifying rounds of a Uefa competition, and their first Conference League group match threw up a daunting trip to Florence.

Danny Redmond only has to recall his career in Scotland to know The New Saints are capable of surprising Fiorentina in their apparent UEFA Conference League mismatch. TNS have become the first domestic Welsh side to reach the group stage of European competition and start the six-game Uefa Conference League phase at Fiorentina – beaten finalists in the last two seasons

Craig Bellamy may have tempted one Wales legend out of retirement, but he believes another is in the wings when he gets back to fitness. Joe Allen’s return to national duties at the age of 34 had been flagged up for some time after Swansea City revealed Wales manager Bellamy had been in touch.

Luke Williams admitted his Swansea City side had blown too many chances to win at Sheffield United, where they were beaten 1-0. The Swans dropped to 12th in the Championship table after seeing their three-game unbeaten run come to an end following some crucial errors.

Joe Allen has come out of international retirement and will be involved in Wales’ upcoming Nations League double-header with Iceland and Montenegro. Allen quit international football in February 2023 saying “time and injuries” had taken their toll, but the 34-year-old has been persuaded to rejoin the Dragons’ fold by new manager and former team-mate Craig Bellamy.

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim believes his team is now starting to gel after a second impressive home win in four days with a 3-1 victory over Salford. “It was a great game, and I was chuffed for the fans,” said the Portuguese. “They were our 12th man and pushed us when we needed it.

Cardiff City’s interim manager Omer Riza admitted to an overriding sense of relief after ending the worst league start in the club’s 125-year history. Championship basement boys Cardiff won their first league game of the season at the eighth attempt with a 1-0 win over Millwall at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales will be without injured midfielder Eathan Ampadu for their autumn Nations League matches, but his Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has insisted his knee problem was feared much worse. Ampadu is set to be sidelined for the rest of the year with knee ligament damage.

Brennan Johnson has earned more praise for his goal contribution from Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou. Wales striker Johnson scored for the fourth successive match as Spurs cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Luke Williams has admitted Swansea City were fortunate to cling on for a point as their winning streak stalled at home to Bristol City. The Swans were held to a 1-1 draw as they missed the chance to nudge close to the play-off positions following two previous back-to-back victories in the Championship

Cardiff City caretaker manager Omer Riza insists he has not given up hope of being given the job permanently despite the worst possible audition. The Bluebirds, who sacked Erol Bulut eight days ago following their worst start to a season in 94 years, are still rock bottom of the Championship table after a 4-1 hammering at Hull City.

It’s been a while since opponents of Swansea City used to wake up on match day with a knot in their stomach. Luke Williams wants to bring those days back, but not in the way you probably imagine.

Omer Riza is promising “a fresh approach” with more fight, more energy and hopefully more goals from bottom of the table Cardiff City. Riza is the last man standing from Erol Bulut’s coaching team after Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan pulled the trigger on firing Bulut after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Leeds United.

Steve Cooper is “even more committed” to succeed at Leicester City following negative fan chants during the penalty shoot-out victory at League Two Walsall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. The Foxes made 10 changes and had to rely on Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward saving spot-kicks from Taylor Allen, David Okagbue and Liam Gordon in the shoot-out to advance to the fourth round.