Wales target clean sheet in Albania

Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson has identified a clean sheet as the first target for Friday's Women's World Cup play-off semi-final first leg against Albania at Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder.

“I'll stick with a clean sheet and a strong performance.”

Two-legged tie with return in Wales

Wales face Albania at the sixteen thousand capacity Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder on Friday before next Tuesday's return leg in Llanelli in the semi-final first leg.

Wales beat Albania twice before

Wilkinson's side beat Albania twice during World Cup qualifying group stage in April, winning four nil at home in Wrexham and one nil away in a scrappy performance.

Nine players missing through injury

Wales are without nine regular squad members: Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Rhiannon Roberts, Hayley Ladd, Ella Powell, Laura Hughes, Mia Ross, Ffion Morgan and Ceri Holland, Wales' most influential performer since Jess Fishlock's retirement.

Six uncapped players in squad

The injury crisis means Wales' squad has a youthful look with six uncapped players: goalkeepers Soffia Kelly and Lucy Farrell-Shrouder, centre-back Cadi Rodgers, wide player Heidi Hills and forwards Casi Gregson and Olivia Francis.

Wilkinson backs young players

Wilkinson says Wales are well placed to cope because of their policy of inviting young players to train with the senior side. She insists inexperienced players are absolutely ready if required in these high-stakes games.

“I don't think we can pretend that we have unlimited players, so the fact I'm able to put together a team of twenty three that has such strength and with a lot of experience is a good thing.”

Albania ranked 37 places below Wales

The Albanians are ranked sixty eighth in the world, thirty seven places below Wales, but Wilkinson expects a stern examination from a team that knows its strengths and could have scored multiple times in their second group game.

Winner faces Norway or Romania

The prize for beating Albania is a two-legged World Cup play-off final against either Norway or Romania in early December. If Wales progress, they would start as underdogs against Gemma Grainger's Norway side.

Path to Brazil unclear for Wales

There will be eight European play-off winners, with seven progressing straight to Brazil and one, the lowest-ranked nation from qualifying group stage, going into inter-confederation play-offs next February. Wales do not yet know if wins over Albania and Norway would seal a World Cup place.