Cymru 1-2 Iceland
by Martin Townley, Impetus Cymru correspondent at the Cardiff City Stadium (2/12/23).
Above: Iceland’s opening scorer Hildur Antonsdóttir (on ground) celebrates after putting her side ahead. Photo: Rob Mellor for Impetus.
Iceland secured third place in Nations League A Group Three with a 2-1 victory over Cymru at Cardiff City Stadium.
In a must-win game to avoid relegation to Nations League B, Cymru pressed forward in the first half and created several chances. As it has been for much of this Nations League campaign though, Gemma Grainger’s side found themselves behind. Hildur Antonsdottir taking advantage of some poor defending to put the visitors in front.
In the second half much like the reverse fixture Cymru tried to break down Iceland but again didn’t trouble Telma Ivarsdottir in goal. As the hosts pushed for a goal, Iceland caught them on the break with Dija Zomers adding a second. Crystal Palace’s Elise Hughes pulled a goal back in added time but Iceland took a deserved win from Cardiff which confirms they finish above Cymru, who will finish in fourth spot and be relegated.
A good piece of play down the right gave Cymru their first real chance of the game. Ceri Holland played the ball down the right into Kayleigh Green. Green cut the ball into the box finding Rachel Rowe who hit a shot on the turn but sent it over.
Iceland then had a chance as Hlin Eiriksdottir turned the Welsh defence to find space in the box, but she hit her shot straight at Oliva Clark.
Cymru then began to take the impetus and looked for the opening goal. Jess Fishlock saw her effort blocked and Kayleigh Green sent a shot just wide.
It was the visitors who took the lead through Hildur Antonsdottir in the 28th minute. Saedis Heidarsdottir sent a cross into the Welsh six-yard box which hit Hlin Eiriksdottir and moved onto Antonsdottir who slid in to poke the ball over the line.
The goal rattled the home side, and it took them some time to regain the momentum. When they did Angharad James stuck the ball for the edge of the box and saw her effort go narrowly over the bar. Cymru continued to pressure and Fishlock took aim from outside the box. Her low effort needed a good save from Telma Ivarsdottir.
Iceland started the second half with a goal disallowed after a good move that saw Hlin Eiriksdottir put the ball in at the far post. The ball hit Eiriksdottir’s hand before going into the net.
Cymru were finding it hard to break down the Iceland back line and Jess Fishlock hit a half volley from outside the box that went wide of the goal.
While Cymru struggled to get shots on target, Iceland had no such problem. On a counterattack, the ball came into Dilja Zomers who curled a fine effort around Clark.
Elise Hughes pulled one back in added time when she headed in from Lilly Woodham’s cross.
More of Rob Mellor’s exclusive photos from pitchside at the Cardiff City Stadium for Impetus:
Teams: CYMRU (4-3-3): Clark, Roberts (Morgan 72′), Ladd, Evans, Woodham, Ingle, James, Fishlock, Holland, Rowe, Green (Hughes 63′).
Scorer: Hughes 90+4′.
ICELAND (4-3-3): Ivarsdottir, Antonsdottir (Johannsdottir 73′), Gudrun Arnardottir (Gudny Arnadottir 64), Eiriksdottir (Nielsdottir 73), Halldordottir (Asgrimsdottir 81), Heidarsdottir, Jessen (Zomers 64′), Magnusdottir, Sigurdardottir, Viggosdottir, Vilhjalmsdottir.
Scorers: Antonsdottir 28′, Zomers 79′.
Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI).
Attendance: 5,275.
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