'Naivety of youth' could sweep Wales to Euros - Wilkinson

Rhian Wilkinson hopes to lead Wales to their first major tournament finals

Head coach Rhian Wilkinson says the "naivety of youth" could be key to Wales getting through the play-off ties to qualify for their first major tournament.

Wales will take on Slovakia in the first round of play-offs for the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland.

Wilkinson's side could then face the Republic of Ireland, who take on Georgia, in the second round if both progress.

"I think we're all really excited that we know our route, and there's four more games to make history," Wilkinson said.

Wales won their qualification group and were seeded for Friday's draw in Nyon after winning four and drawing two of their games so far.

They will be away to Slovakia on Friday, 25 October before hosting them in the second leg at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 29 October.

If Wales get through that, they will face Republic of Ireland or Georgia for a place at Euro 2025 on Friday, 29 November, followed by an away second leg on Tuesday, 3 December.

Wales could have got a much trickier second-round draw, such as Sweden - ranked sixth in the world - or the likes of Norway, Belgium, Iceland and Austria who are all in the top 20.

Ireland are 25th and Wales beat them in a friendly this year, but Wilkinson dismissed the idea her team got one of the best second-round draws.

"I don't think so," she said. "I don't think it's an easy tie at all.

"We've seen them have some very close games, and then obviously they've just had a pretty historic win against France.

"But it is one that's more manageable than others we might have had.

"First of all, of course, we have a challenge against Slovakia home and away to take care of.

"We don't know that much about them - we haven't played them for a long time, but they had close games against Scotland, a team that we do know well.

"So that's a clear message to our players that no game is ever gifted and this will be one we're going to have to earn both away and at home."

Wales will lean heavily on experienced players such as record goalscorer Jess Fishlock, former captain Sophie Ingle and midfielder Angharad James to get them through the play-offs.

But Wilkinson says the youngsters in the squad could be just as - if not more - important to their hopes.

The last Wales squad of 26 had six teenagers and eight players aged between 20 and 24, with Wilkinson giving debuts to Manchester United teenagers Safia Middleton-Patel and Mayzee Davies.

"We've got a wonderful mix of senior experience, but also a lot of youth. And the naivety of youth is pretty special," she said.

"They don't have those scars [of past failures]. They have the eternal optimism that we need.

"And I've said to the team we're going to need the experienced players to step up and lead, and we're going to need our young players to show up and give us the kick when we need it because they don't have any scarring, any trauma to overcome.

"They're just excited to be there and able to deliver, but they have to have the experienced heads around them and that leadership.

"So I do think that part of a coach's job is to always try and find the right blend of those two types of players."

Fishlock - who set a new Wales goalscoring record in Tuesday's 2-0 qualifying win over Kosovo - says she is "really happy" with the draw as she aims to round off her international career in Switzerland next summer.

"I think the draw could have been unkind or really kind, and I think it's sat right in the middle," she said.

"I'm really happy with that because I'm used to us having not very kind draws, so now I'm just super excited.

"I think we've put ourselves in a really good position. We just have to focus now that come the play-offs, we're ready."