Cymru sealed promotion to League A of next season’s UEFA WU19 European Qualifying Round with victories against Kazakhstan and Estonia in Denbigh.
The campaign started with a 5-2 win against Kazakhstan last Tuesday (4 April), with a brace each for Tianna Teisar and Manon Pearce and a goal for Lauren Purchase.
Nicola Anderson’s side clinched promotion with an impressive 4-0 win over Estonia on Monday afternoon (10 April), finishing top of League B Group 6 in the process. Teisar opened the scoring, while a second half double by Bethan McGowan either side of a goal by attacker Ella Humphrey secured the three points.
Head coach Anderson said “I think today is definitely more of a representation of us, the team and what they’re capable of more so than the Kazakhstan game.”
“What the girls have done really well this week is apply themselves. They worked to our Welsh-way principles.”
“I think they’re good problems to have when you’re creating opportunities and now it’s about converting those. They will be the margins that will either keep us in League A or bring us back down to League B.’’
“It’s somewhere we genuinely believe we should be more often. We hope the new group that will come together in August will be pushing that more and League A is somewhere we want to make a Welsh home.’’
Captain Bethan McGowan also expressed her delight at securing League A promotion for next season. “I’m really proud of the players. We started the first game shaky, but today we put everything into practice, scored goals and stayed together.’’
“We had a bit of down time after the first game, regrouped and thought of how we could do better, and we ended on a high which is great.’’
“We’re not used to scoring as many goals as we have, and we’re playing a more attacking style of football. I’m so proud of everyone and it really has brought us together.”
Teisar, who netted three goals over the two games in the campaign, said “I’m feeling really confident, building momentum and getting goals which is my job. I’m feeling really happy, I’m in a good place and everything is good.’’
The forward opened the scoring against Estonia after 15 minutes, turning in a ball that was bouncing in the box.
“We always look to start well and it’s always nice to get the first goal early so we can play our football.’’
“We want to play against the best teams, we want to challenge ourselves. We believe in ourselves, and we’re not frightened by any big teams.’’
