Wales hope pattern continues in Albania return

After an unconvincing win in Albania, Wales hope a return home will rejuvenate their Women's World Cup bid. Wales are ranked 31st in the world, 17 places below Norway, who they could face in a play-off final in December If the pattern of this Women's World Cup qualifying campaign continues, Wales will be starting preparations for a play-off final come Wednesday morning. Wales return home to Llanelli on Tuesday for the second leg of their play-off semi-final with a lead courtesy of a 1-0 triumph in Albania. It was a game which mirrored the three Wales played on their travels during the group stage of this World Cup qualifying campaign, in the Czech Republic, Albania and Montenegro.

In each of those matches, Wales claimed a positive result despite an underwhelming performance. The story was the same in Shkoder on Friday night. In their home fixtures during the group stage, by contrast, Wales won plaudits as well as points in three resounding victories. Rhian Wilkinson must now hope her team will repeat the trick against Albania, who will travel to Wales wondering how they have not given themselves a foothold in the tie. "We knew coming here [to Albania wasn't going to be easy," said Wales captain Angharad James. "The most important thing was getting the result, the clean sheet and