Lessons To Be Learned As Wales Chase Top Spot

"It was astir nan 3 points but lessons request to beryllium learned," erstwhile Wales striker Gwennan Harries told Match of nan Day Wales.

Wilkinson's broadside had overwhelmed Albania successful a 4-0 triumph successful Wrexham 4 days earlier, erstwhile nan hosts' only vexation was that they did not people much goals.

But nan return fixture had a very different look, pinch Wales struggling for fluency successful possession arsenic Albania sat heavy but carried a threat connected nan counter-attack.

"At nan minute, we're astir apt not seeing Wales astatine their champion and we've struggled astatine times to break down teams who beryllium back," said different ex-Wales striker Helen Ward connected BBC Radio Wales.

"That's wherever a Jess Fishlock tin do thing magic.

"We don't person her anymore, truthful personification other is going to person to return that responsibility."

The 1 extremity Wales did negociate was arsenic scrappy arsenic their performance, Roberts bundling location from a Lily Woodham transverse pinch Albania claiming nan shot had gone successful disconnected nan seasoned defender's arm.

There were different opportunities for Wales, Mared Griffiths coming adjacent connected a mates of occasions and Ingle shooting consecutive astatine Albania keeper Rajmonda Spahiu having seen an earlier effort ruled retired for offside.

Had 1 aliases 2 of those chances been converted, nan evening would person had a different feel.

As it was, location was hostility successful nan aerial correct up until nan last whistle, pinch Safia Middleton-Patel making a precocious prevention from Fortesa Berisha having earlier seen Ilarja Zarka's thrust rattle nan bar.

"I thought Albania were really good," said Ingle. "They blocked up, made it difficult for us.

"They defended really good and they astir punished america connected a fewer modulation attacks, truthful we were rather fortunate astatine times."