Wilkinson Demands Focus as Wales Prepare for Montenegro Clash

Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has firmly stated that Wales must not allow travel disruptions to impact their performance during Friday’s Women’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro. The Welsh squad faced a significant logistical nightmare en route to Podgorica, with the team arriving at Gradski Stadion less than 23 hours before the scheduled kick-off.

Originally scheduled to reach Montenegro by Wednesday evening, the group was rerouted to Brindisi, Italy, due to severe electrical storms. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) managed to secure lodging for the players in the early hours of Thursday, but the situation was less comfortable for the coaching and support staff. Wilkinson and several members of her backroom team were compelled to spend the night in an airport terminal.

Despite the chaotic start to their trip, Wilkinson reports that the players remain in high spirits as they approach their second-to-last Group B1 match.

“It’s obviously not been straightforward, but equally these things happen,” Wilkinson remarked. “For such a massive delay in our travel plans, I think it’s been handled exceptionally and we’re just getting on with it.”

The head coach expressed deep admiration for the dedication of her support staff, who prioritized the players' well-being despite their own exhaustion.

“There's not much we can do about weather,” she noted. “I'm just really very proud of my staff. It's not nice, right, spending the night at the airport for the staff. But how quickly they prioritise the players, getting them to sleep, prioritising food, all those things - the players have noticed [the staff] have gone above and beyond this trip.”

While much of the support team remained at the airport, the players were able to rest at temporary accommodation arranged in southern Italy. Wilkinson emphasized that keeping the squad in the dark about certain logistical struggles was intentional.

“They're not aware of half of what's been happening and that's the point,” Wilkinson explained. “We don't try to shield them from challenge, but equally we try to make sure their performances aren't affected and that's what we've done here. There's no excuses. We'll be ready for the game.”

Acknowledging the lack of available beds, Wilkinson described sleeping at the airport as her only alternative. “As a head coach, that is all I can do,” she said. “I'm actually the least useful person on match day minus one and two. You know, it's the reality of it. I have staff that will be working over, round the clock now, especially the medical team, to make sure that the players are ready to go and they need to be prioritised.”

The upcoming fixture is critical for Wales, who are battling the Czech Republic for top spot in Group B1. Securing first place would provide a more advantageous route in the World Cup qualifying play-offs later this year. The Czechs, who currently lead on goal difference, face Albania on Friday before meeting Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 9 June.

Wales defeated Montenegro 6-1 in Llanelli in March and are favored to secure another victory in the return leg, despite the difficult preparation. If Wales and the Czech Republic finish the group stage with equal points, the winner will be determined by head-to-head records, followed by goal difference if necessary. However, Wilkinson insists the team is not looking ahead to those tiebreakers.

“That's not something we're chasing,” she concluded. “What we've talked about is winning the [final two games of the] group and then we take care of our own fate.”

Match Details: * Fixture: Montenegro v Wales Women's World Cup Qualifying * 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.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-04 16:16:30 UTC