Title: Hughes Ready for World Cup Qualifiers Amidst High-Pressure Club Action

Laura Hughes is finding herself at the center of major footballing moments as she prepares for two crucial Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Wales. Following a stint in Australia’s A-League Grand Final and a semi-final appearance in the AFC Women’s Champions League, the midfielder is now focused on her international duties.

Hughes, an former Australian international who has switched her allegiance to Wales, recently featured in two high-stakes matches for Melbourne City. She entered as a second-half substitute in the domestic decider against Wellington Phoenix, a match that secured a league and cup double for City. Just four days later, she started in the Asia Champions League semi-final, where Melbourne City fell to Japanese opponents Tokyo Verdy Beleza in South Korea.

With Wales facing Montenegro on Friday and the Czech Republic next Tuesday in Cardiff, Hughes believes her recent club experience has been invaluable preparation.

"Especially with the [Melbourne City] games being high-pressure knockout games, it's prepared me really well for what's coming with Wales," Hughes stated. "To play at a World Cup, I've dreamed about since I was a kid so it would be really cool."

The Welsh squad currently trails the Czech Republic on goal difference in Group B1. While Wales host Albania on Friday, the priority remains securing first place in the group to ensure a more advantageous route in the upcoming play-offs. Although the group title will be decided in Cardiff, Hughes emphasizes the need for a decisive victory in Montenegro, noting that goal difference could prove decisive.

"I think the game against Montenegro will be challenging and will set us up really well for the next game," she said. "We've obviously been preparing for Montenegro in training and different meetings. We're looking at a really tough, aggressive side that we don't know what, sometimes, they're going to throw at us, so we've got to be prepared for everything. We're just chasing the results and hopefully they come."

Match Details: * Fixture: Montenegro vs. Wales Women’s World Cup Qualifier * Date: Friday, 5 June * Time: 17:00 BST * Venue: Gradski Stadion, Podgorica * Broadcast: Live on BBC Two Wales and iPlayer from 16:45 BST; radio commentary on BBC Sounds via BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.

A Homecoming Connection

This marks only the second time Hughes has joined the Wales squad, having chosen to represent her mother’s homeland last year. The 24-year-old, who earned a cap for Australia in a 2024 friendly, made her Welsh debut in a victory over Switzerland in December. After missing the initial two qualifying camps due to a knee injury, she is now eager for her competitive debut for Wales.

Prior to the trip to Podgorica, Hughes spent time in Porthcawl, where her grandfather, aunt, and two cousins reside. She opted to travel directly to the Welsh coast rather than return to Australia, having just finished her club season in South Korea.

"I played my last game of the season with Melbourne City in South Korea and so I thought instead of going all the way back, I'd just come straight here," she explained. "As soon as I came there was a heatwave, so I think I brought it with me. I was just hanging out with my family down Coney Beach. It was nice."

Born and raised in Canberra, Hughes describes her decision to switch nations as a "no-brainer," citing the opportunity presented by head coach Rhian Wilkinson.

"I think my mum shed a tear when I made my debut," she recalled. "I spent a lot of summers here growing up. My family would come over and then my Welsh family would visit us in Australia. I feel very connected to Porthcawl and Wales. I feel very Welsh."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-03 10:00:18 UTC