Women's Nations League: Wales boss Gemma Grainger sees progress despite relegation

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Women's Nations League: Wales 1-2 Iceland - highlights

Wales boss Gemma Grainger says her side are disappointed at being relegated from the top tier of the Nations League but insists they are making progress.

Wales, ranked 29th in the world, have lost all five of their games in a campaign competing against sides ranked sixth, 12th and 14th.

Friday's 2-1 defeat by Iceland in Cardiff confirmed Wales' relegation.

"We wanted to compete with the third-seed team (in Group A3) and we have done in both games," Grainger said.

"I know I am going to look back at the stats at the chances we had and be frustrated."

Wales dominated in the early exchanges against Iceland - who had also won by a single goal in Reykjavik in September - and might have had a penalty before the visitors scored with their first attack.

"There was a potential decision that might have changed the game, but it is an if or but moment," Grainger added.

"We need to stay very focused with what we are trying to achieve."

Grainger believes there should be some perspective despite Wales failing to pick up a point in the group ahead of a daunting final game against Germany in Swansea on Tuesday.

Wales have won only twice in their last 11 games, but Grainger insisted her side are on the right track, especially as they were the lowest ranked side in League A of the Nations League and the only team not to have been to a major final.

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Jess Fishlock shows her frustration during Wales' home defeat to Iceland

"We are disappointed and we are frustrated with the result tonight," she said.

"We're the only team in League A that hasn't been to a major tournament so let's have some perspective.

"We wanted these games, we knew they were going to be hard. I'm proud of the improvements this team has made.

"Our goal is to qualify for a European Championship. Did League A help us get closer to that? Yes it did.

"This experience ticks off the next stage of the journey for us.

"The higher ranked teams are the higher ranked teams because they are clinical and they score goals and see out games."

Wales captain Sophie Ingle said she was disappointed by Wales' performance against Iceland as she prepares for the daunting challenge of facing a Germany side on Tuesday, who will now be needing a victory to secure top spot in Group A3 following a 3-0 win over Denmark.

"Iceland are a very good side but again we can't gift them two goals. It's not good enough at this level," Ingle told BBC Match of the Day Wales.

"But I am really happy that we dug in and kept going until the end.

"In the first half they had one chance and scored, we had six or seven chances. We are not clinical enough. We need to work on that on the training ground tomorrow because if we want to be at the next level, that's where we have to go.

"Germany is going to be a tough game. But we just have to test ourselves now. We have got nothing to lose.

"We have to be clinical going forward and more solid defensively."

Midfielder Angharad James echoed the sentiments of her captain, believing Wales will be disappointed with their results against Iceland, having been beaten 1-0 in Reykjavik.

"I think we will be really disappointed with that," she added.

"It was very similar to the first game when we played them away, we dominated possession but we just weren't good enough with the ball."

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