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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Northern Ireland 0-0 Wales: Jayne Ludlow's side keep grip on second place in Euro qualifying group

Wales kept their grip on second place in their Women's Euro 2021 qualifying group after a scoreless draw against Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Coming into the match that signalled the half-way mark of their qualifying campaign, Wales had only dropped points in one match - with September's 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland in Newport being preceded by victories over Belarus and the Faroe Islands.

Another draw with Northern Ireland sees them move four points behind group leaders Norway - with home and away fixtures against the World Cup quarter-finalists still to come.

It was a game of half-chances, with Wales goalkeeper Laura O'Sullivan called into action early on in both halves as the hosts started each strongly.

In the first, the Cardiff City shot-stopper pulled off a fine acrobatic save from a header, before being called upon seconds into the second-half to deny Northern Ireland after she had initially spilled a cross.

Wales had their share of the half-chances too.

Rachel Rowe had a long-range strike deflected behind, while Angharad James curled one wide.

A tactical change by Jayne Ludlow, switching to three at the back, helped Wales create more but it wasn't until the 66th minute that a clearcut chance was carved out.

An inch-perfect pass from Kayleigh Green found James in the box in acres of space.

However, with the deadlock there to be broken, she could only fire straight at home goalkeeper Rebecca Flaherty.

Six minutes later, it was the hosts who nearly opened the scoring.

A ball into the box wasn't met convincingly by the onrushing O'Sullivan, who failed to connect with a clearing punch cleanly.

Instead, the ball skewed off her fist and towards the goal - with Hayley Ladd doing well to get back and clear.

With 15 minutes left, Wales had a credible penalty shout turned down after Northern Ireland defender Ashely Hutton blocked a shot with her arm.

As the clock ticked down, the home side forged a couple of chances on the counter through winger Lauren Wade.

Her first cross was cut out magnificently by Loren Dykes, with a second looping ball in being tipped past the post by an outstretched O'Sullivan.

Rowe had another gilt-edge chance to snatch victory with minutes remaining but her shot was comfortably saved by Flaherty.

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