Women's World Cup 2015: Wales beat Turkey 1-0 in qualifying
- Published
Wales remain second in their World Cup qualifying group after an unconvincing 1-0 win over Turkey in Haverfordwest.
Sarah Wiltshire's first-half strike from close range was the only goal of the game as Wales stayed five points behind Group Six leaders England.
Hayley Ladd and Sophie Ingle also went close, but Wales failed to convert their superiority into goals.
Turkey left-back Didem Karagenc was sent off late in the game after being shown a second yellow card.
Wales manager Jarmo Matikainen named an unchanged side following the 4-0 win over Montenegro at Bangor's Nantporth in May.
And Wiltshire came close to giving the home the lead when she spotted goalkeeper Ezgi Caglar off her line, only for her lob to go over the crossbar.
Hayley Ladd fired an effort wide of the post while Loren Dykes was denied by the goalkeeper as the home side took a firm grip.
Wiltshire was Wales' main attacking outlet, and her efforts were rewarded when she broke the deadlock on 33 minutes.
The Watford midfielder scored from close range after Angharad James's excellent threaded pass.
Wales ended the half strongly, with Caglar tipping Ladd's long-range effort over the bar before Sophie Ingle's shot struck the crossbar.
Matikainen's side continued to control the game after the interval, and Wiltshire's powerful shot was pushed on to the crossbar by the busy Caglar.
Turkey, who Wales beat 5-1 earlier in the campaign, rarely threatened goalkeeper Nicola Davies.
And they were reduced to 10 players when Karagenc was shown a second yellow card with 11 minutes remaining.
The visitors were indebted to Caglar for keeping them in the game, and she made further late saves to deny captain Jess Fishlock and Wiltshire.
Wales meet Belarus, who were beaten 3-0 by England, on Thursday.
- Published13 June 2014
- Published14 June 2014
- Published14 June 2014
- Published14 June 2014