OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE | RHAGLEN SWYDDOGOL Y GÊM

WALES v NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE MATCH | GÊM GYFEILLGAR LECKWITH STADIUM, CARDIFF | STADIWM LECKWITH, CAERDYDD KICK OFF: 19:00 | CIC GYNTAF: 19:00 04/06/19 CYMRU v SELAND NEWYDD

Welcome to FC Cymru – The Matchday Magazine.

FC Cymru brings you features on our match Jayne Ludlow sat down with FC Cymru recently to talk about the challenge of New Zealand and the against New Zealand here importance of this match ahead of UEFA Women's EURO 2021 qualifying. “It will be a tough test,” at Leckwith Stadium, the manager explained. “They're a team that gets to major tournaments, and they're preparing Cardiff. to compete in what is the biggest female sporting event of the summer. They've beaten teams easily in qualifying, and they've been on camp for the last few weeks developing and learning. So for us it's going to be a really good test to see where we're at, and it will give more of our players an This evening’s match acts opportunity to play in our structure and to see how they compete against players who are playing as preparation for the 2019 at the top level of the game. (New Zealand manager) has a lot of experience, and I'm FIFA Women’s World Cup in sure they will have a plan for us as part of what they want to work on ahead of the World Cup. It's the France for New Zealand, same for us, to make sure we're prepared for the next campaign.” where they have been The side have struggled for goals since the last qualifying campaign, but the statistics are not a drawn in a group alongside problem for the manager. “Our preparations have been interesting so far,” she added. “We're still Canada, Cameroon and building our foundations on being hard to beat, and we're really pleased with that. We've played the Netherlands. We wish other games behind closed doors, and we have scored goals, so I'm not too concerned with that. The them all the very best positive thing is that we've created chances in all our games, but across the board we haven't taken them. We have to make sure in August that we're putting those chances away, but the fact that we of luck at this summer’s are creating chances is very pleasing for us. It's important to go into the next competition with a competition, which begins squad of players we can trust and rely on. It's a competitive environment, and when players come in on Friday, 7 June. they have to compete and keep their levels high. If they don't, then they're out, and somebody else will get their opportunity.” Away from the match, make sure you check out the regular FC Cymru Daeth Jayne Ludlow i gael sgwrs gydag FC Cymru yn ddiweddar i siarad am yr her o wynebu Seland webshow by scanning the Newydd a pha mor bwysig yw’r gêm hon wrth baratoi ar gyfer ymgyrch ragbrofol Ewro 2021 Merched UEFA. “Mi fydd hi’n dipyn o brawf,” eglurodd y rheolwr. “Maen nhw’n dîm sy’n llwyddo i gyrraedd QR code below. y twrnameintiau mawr, ac maen nhw wrthi’n paratoi i gystadlu yn un o ddigwyddiadau chwaraeon mwyaf yr haf. Fe wnaethon nhw drechu timau yn hawdd yn y rowndiau rhagbrofol, ac maent wedi Diolch, bod ar wersyll am yr ychydig wythnosau diwethaf yn datblygu ac yn dysgu. Felly i ni, mae’n mynd i fod yn brawf da i weld lle’r ydym ni ar hyn o bryd, a bydd yn rhoi cyfle i fwy o’n chwaraewyr chwarae The Editor. yn ein strwythur a gweld sut maen nhw’n cymharu yn erbyn y rhai sy’n chwarae ar lefel uchaf y gêm. Mae gan Tom Sermanni (rheolwr Seland Newydd) gryn dipyn o brofiad, a dwi’n siŵr y bydd ganddyn nhw gynllun ar gyfer ein hwynebu ni o ran beth maen nhw angen gweithio arno cyn Cwpan y Byd. Mae’r un peth yn wir i ni hefyd, i wneud yn siŵr ein bod ni’n barod am yr ymgyrch nesaf.”

Nid yw sgorio wedi dod yn hawdd i’r tîm ers yr ymgyrch ragbrofol ddiwethaf, ond nid yw’r ystadegau @FAWales yn broblem i’r rheolwr chwaith. “Mae ein paratoadau wedi bod yn ddiddorol hyd yn hyn,” meddai. @Cymru “Rydyn ni dal yn adeiladu ein sylfaen ar fod yn anodd ein curo, ac rydyn ni’n falch iawn o hynny. www.faw.cymru Rydyn ni wedi chwarae gemau eraill tu ôl i ddrysau caeedig, ac wedi sgorio goliau, felly dydw i ddim yn poeni gormod am hynny. Y peth positif yw ein bod ni wedi creu cyfleoedd ym mhob un o’n gemau, ond dydyn ni heb fanteisio ar y rheiny bob tro. Mae’n rhaid i ni wneud yn siŵr ym mis Awst ein bod ni’n rhoi’r cyfleoedd hynny yng nghefn y rhwyd, ond mae’r ffaith ein bod ni’n creu’r cyfleoedd hynny yn galonogol iawn i ni. Mae’n bwysig ein bod ni’n mynd i mewn i’r gystadleuaeth nesaf gyda charfan o chwaraewyr yr ydym ni’n ymddiried ynddyn nhw ac y gallwn ni ddibynnu arnyn nhw. Mae’n amgylchedd cystadleuol, a phan ddaw chwaraewyr i mewn mae’n rhaid iddyn nhw gystadlu a chadw eu lefelau yn uchel. Os nad ydyn nhw’n gwneud hynny, maen nhw allan, a bydd rhywun arall yn cael y cyfle hwnnw.”

www.faw.cymru 3

GAIR AM EIN

GWRTHWYNEBWYRMEET THE MANAGER - TOM SERMANNI A professional during his playing career, Tom Sermanni represented Blackpool and Torquay United as well as Albion Rovers and Dunfermline in his native Scotland before heading to the other side of the world to end his career with clubs in Australia and New Zealand. Sermanni, 64, began coaching in 1988 with Canberra, and twice took charge of the Australian Women’s national team before heading to the United States. Between 2013 and 2014 he managed the US Women’s national team before becoming assistant manager of Canada ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. Sermanni then took charge of Orlando Pride before taking over as manager of New Zealand in October 2018.

CWRDD Â’R RHEOLWR – TOM SERMANNI Roedd Tom Sermanni yn chwaraewr proffesiynol yn ystod ei yrfa chwarae, ac fe gynrychiolodd Blackpool a Torquay United yn ogystal ag Albion Rovers a Dunfermline yn ei Alban frodorol cyn teithio i ochr arall y byd i orffen ei yrfa gyda chlybiau yn Awstralia a Seland Newydd. Dechreuodd Sermanni, 64, hyfforddi ym 1988 gyda Canberra, a chymerodd yr awenau gyda thîm Merched Cenedlaethol Awstralia ddwywaith cyn anelu am yr Unol Daleithiau. Rhwng 2013 a 2014 roedd yn rheoli tîm Merched Cenedlaethol yr Unol Daleithiau cyn dod yn ddirprwy reolwr Canada cyn rowndiau terfynol Cwpan y Byd FIFA 2015. Yna, symudodd Sermanni i reoli Orlando Pride cyn cymryd y llyw fel rheolwr Seland Newydd ym mis Hydref 2018.

4 www.faw.cymru RECENT FORM PERFFORMIAD DIWEDDAR The Football Ferns qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup Llwyddodd y Football Ferns i gymhwyso ar gyfer rowndiau terfynol finals with a convincing and dominant performance in the OFC Cwpan y Byd FIFA 2019 gyda pherfformiad cadarn a chryf yng Women’s Nations Cup. Their three group stage qualifiers saw them Nghwpan Cenhedloedd Merched yr OFC. Fe sgoriodd y tîm 27 o score 27 goals without reply, and they continued that form into the goliau yn eu tair gêm grŵp heb ildio’r un, a pharhau a wnaeth y semi-finals and final, defeating New Caledonia and Fuji respectively safon honno hyd at y rowndiau cynderfynol a’r rownd derfynol, wrth courtesy of two 8-0 victories. claimed the Golden Ball iddyn nhw drechu New Caledonia a Fiji gyda dwy fuddugoliaeth as the best player in the competition, while was 8-0. Enillodd Betsy Hassett y ‘Bêl Aur’ fel chwaraewr gorau’r joint top goalscorer with eight goals. Twelve different players were gystadleuaeth, tra bo Sarah Gregorius yn un o ddwy brif sgorwyr on target for New Zealand in the five OFC gydag wyth gôl. Llwyddodd deuddeg o wahanol chwaraewyr i sgorio Women’s Nations Cup games. i Seland Newydd yn y pum gêm yng Nghwpan Cenhedloedd yr OFC.

PAST SUCCESS LWYDDIANNAU BLAENOROL This will be the fifth time that New Zealand have competed at the Hwn fydd y pumed tro i Seland Newydd gystadlu yn rowndiau FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, having previously qualified in 1991, terfynol Cwpan y Byd Merched FIFA ar ôl cymhwyso ym 1991, 2007, 2007, 2011 and 2015. However, the side are yet to make it past the 2011 a 2015. Fodd bynnag, mae’r tîm eto i fynd heibio’r camau grŵp. group stages. Their best performance in an Olympic Games came Daeth eu perfformiad gorau yn y Gemau Olympaidd yn Llundain yn in London in 2012 when they progressed to the quarter-finals, 2012 wrth iddyn nhw gyrraedd rownd yr wyth olaf, ac maent wedi while they have won the OFC Women’s Nations Cup four times in ennill Cwpan Cenhedloedd Merched yr OFC bedair gwaith yn olynol succession having claimed the trophy in 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2018. yn 2007, 2010, 2014 a 2018. Daeth eu buddugoliaeth fwyaf ym mis Their biggest victory was recorded in October 1998 when they Hydref 1998 wrth iddynt sgorio 21 o goliau yn erbyn Samoa heb scored 21 goals against Samoa without reply. ildio’r un.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS BRWYDRAU BLAENOROL Wales and New Zealand last met in June 2011 at the inaugural Daeth Cymru a Seland Newydd benben y tro diwethaf ym mis Matchworld Women’s Cup, a mini-tournament held in Switzerland. Mehefin 2011 yng Nghwpan Merched Matchworld, twrnamaint The two nations were joined by Colombia and eventual winners mini yn y Swistir a oedd yn cael ei gynnal am y tro cyntaf erioed. Denmark. A 2-0 victory for New Zealand over Wales made it a Yn ymuno â’r ddau dîm yr oedd Colombia a’r enillwyr yn y pen disappointing start for manager Jarmo Matikainen and his side, draw, Denmarc. Collodd Cymru 2-0 yn erbyn Seland Newydd i roi and things didn’t improve with respective 3-0 and 3-1 defeats to dechrau siomedig i’r rheolwr Jarmo Matikainen a’i dîm, ac fe aeth Denmark and Colombia. and scored the pethau o ddrwg i waeth wrth i Gymru golli 3-0 a 3-1 i Ddenmarc a two goals for New Zealand in their opening match against Wales, Colombia. Sgoriodd Amber Hearn ac Anna Green y ddwy gôl i Seland and they followed it up with a 1-0 victory over Colombia to finish Newydd yn eu gêm agoriadol yn erbyn Cymru, gan ddilyn hynny â runners-up. buddugoliaeth 1-0 dros Colombia i ddod yn ail.

ONE TO WATCH TALENT Y TÎM Sarah Gregorius claimed the Golden Boot at the OFC Women’s Enillodd Sarah Gregorius y ‘Golden Boot’ yng Nghwpan Nations Cup last year. The striker is closing in the all-time Cenhedloedd Merched OFC y llynedd. Mae’r ergydiwr yn agos iawn goalscoring record for her country and a century of appearances at gyrraedd record sgorio ei gwlad a chant o ymddangosiadau ar having made her senior debut for the Football Ferns back in 2010 ôl chwarae i’r Ferns am y tro cyntaf yn 2010 mewn buddugoliaeth in a 14-0 victory over Vanuatu. Although she didn’t score in the 14-0 dros Vanuatu. Er na wnaeth hi sgorio yn y fuddugoliaeth convincing win, Gregorius grabbed a hat-trick on her second gadarn honno, fe lwyddodd i fachu hatric yn ei hail gêm mewn appearance in a 10-0 win over the Cook Islands. Gregorius, 31, buddugoliaeth 10-0 dros yr Ynysoedd Cook. Ar hyn o bryd, mae currently plays her club football in Japan with AS Elfen Saitama, and Gregorius, 31, yn chwarae yn Japan gydag AS Elfen Saitama, a chyn previously played for Liverpool in the FA Women’s Super League hynny roedd yn chwarae i Lerpwl yn Uwch Gynghrair Merched yr FA between 2013 and 2015. rhwng 2013 a 2015.

www.faw.cymru 5 Over 2,000 fans were in attendance at Rodney Parade in April as Wales played against the Czech Republic in a women’s international friendly. The match marked a significant milestone for defender Loren Dykes as she became only the second centurion in the history of the Welsh international game. Jess Fishlock became the first recipient of the accolade ahead of a friendly against Northern Ireland in the modest surroundings of Ystrad Mynach back in 2017.

They are both significant appearance milestones, and both define a particular period in time for the women’s game in Wales. Media interest for Fishlock’s achievement consisted of only a handful of national outlets, many of which were taking an interest in Jayne Ludlow’s team for the first time. Fishlock scored in the victory, and the players rewarded the young fans that had come out to see them with selfies and autographs. The seeds of a very bright future were clearly being sown both on and off the field as the sun came down on the multi-purpose facility.

Just two years on, playing such an international fixture at Ystrad Mynach now would be considered practically impossible. The women’s international game in Wales has outgrown such a venue, and this was never headlined more than when the team sold out Rodney Parade last summer for their crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier against England within 24-hours of tickets being put on sale. Make no mistake, this was not just because of the opposition. This was because of a movement that had evolved and snowballed since Fishlock’s volley against Northern Ireland the year before.

6 www.faw.cymru There is currently a huge momentum behind the popularity of the women’s game across the UK and Europe, and being drawn against the Lionesses of England in the last qualifying campaign ensured that Wales could attach themselves to this increasing level of public and media interest. The two teams came together early in 2018 at Southampton in front of over 25,000 fans, and Ludlow’s team defied to odds to claim a 0-0 draw. Slowly but surely, the players have become recognisable role models for both young boys and girls across the country, and it is a privilege that they have continued to embrace in order to reach their current status.

But the relationship between the players and the fans has not changed. After each and every game, the players remain on the field until each and every selfie has been taken, and every t-shirt, flag, programme and photo has been signed. The FAW has capitalised on the popularity of the team and the connection they have with the youngsters that idolise them, and the positive media coverage of the side has increased ten-fold. The players have embraced their status, and having seen the process evolve, the connection they have with the fans is mutual and stronger than every before. This bond has held their popularity since the last campaign, and it is this relationship that will ensure the women’s game in Wales continues to go from strength to strength in the future.

WALES RIDING THE CREST OF A NATIONAL WAVE www.faw.cymru 7 Roedd dros 2,000 o gefnogwyr yn bresennol yn Rodney Parade ym mis Ebrill wrth i ferched Cymru herio’r Weriniaeth Tsiec mewn gêm ryngwladol gyfeillgar. Roedd y gêm yn garreg filltir bwysig i’r amddiffynnwr Loren Dykes, yr ail chwaraewr yn unig i ennill cant o gapiau i Gymru ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol. Jess Fishlock oedd y cyntaf i dderbyn yr anrhydedd cyn gêm gyfeillgar yn erbyn Gogledd Iwerddon mewn achlysur digon syml yn Ystrad Mynach yn ôl yn 2017.

Mae’r ddau yn gerrig milltir pwysig iawn o ran ymddangosiadau, a’r ddau yn diffinio cyfnod penodol mewn amser i gêm y merched yng Nghymru. Dim ond llond llaw o’r cyfryngau cenedlaethol a ddangosodd unrhyw ddiddordeb yng nghyflawniad Fishlock, llawer ohonynt yn dangos diddordeb yng ngharfan Jayne Ludlow am y tro cyntaf erioed. Sgoriodd Fishlock yn y fuddugoliaeth, ac i ddiolch i’r cefnogwyr ifanc a oedd wedi dod i’w gweld fe ddaeth y chwaraewyr allan i gymryd ‘hunluniau’ ac i lofnodi amryw eitemau. Yn amlwg roedd hadau dyfodol disglair iawn yn cael eu hau, a hynny ar y cae ac oddi arno, wrth i’r haul fachlud ar y cyfleuster amlbwrpas.

Dim ond dwy flynedd yn ddiweddarach, byddai chwarae gêm ryngwladol o’r fath yn Ystrad Mynach yn cael ei ystyried bron yn amhosib. Mae gêm y merched yng Nghymru wedi tyfu’n rhy fawr i leoliad o’r fath. Does dim sy’n adlewyrchu hynny’n gliriach na phan werthodd pob tocyn i weld y tîm yn Rodney Parade yr haf diwethaf ar gyfer gêm dyngedfennol yn erbyn Lloegr yn ymgyrch ragbrofol Cwpan y Byd FIFA, a hynny o fewn 24 awr wedi i’r tocynnau fynd ar werth! Does dim dwywaith nad oherwydd y gwrthwynebwyr yn unig oedd hynny. Roedd o ganlyniad i symudiad a oedd wedi esblygu a thyfu ers foli Fishlock yn erbyn Gogledd Iwerddon flwyddyn ynghynt.

8 www.faw.cymru Ar hyn o bryd, mae momentwm enfawr y tu ôl i boblogrwydd gêm y merched ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig ac Ewrop, ac roedd wynebu ‘Lionesses’ Lloegr yn yr ymgyrch ragbrofol ddiwethaf yn sicrhau y gallai Cymru gysylltu eu hunain â’r diddordeb cynyddol hwnnw gan y cyhoedd a’r cyfryngau. Daeth y ddau dîm benben ddechrau 2018 yn Southampton gerbron dros 25,000 o gefnogwyr, a llwyddodd tîm Ludlow i synnu pawb a sicrhau gêm gyfartal 0-0. Yn araf ond yn bendant, mae’r chwaraewyr wedi dod yn fodelau rôl adnabyddus i ferched a bechgyn ifanc ym mhob cwr o Gymru, ac mae’n fraint y maent wedi parhau i’w chofleidio er mwyn cyrraedd lle maen nhw ar hyn o bryd.

Ond nid yw’r berthynas rhwng y chwaraewyr a’r cefnogwyr wedi newid. Ar ôl pob gêm, mae’r chwaraewyr yn aros ar y cae hyd nes bod pob hun-lun wedi’i gymryd a phob crys-t, baner, rhaglen a llun wedi’u llofnodi. Mae Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru wedi manteisio ar boblogrwydd y tîm a’r cysylltiad sydd ganddynt â’r cefnogwyr ifanc sy’n eu haddoli, ac mae’r sylw cadarnhaol maent yn ei gael yn y wasg wedi cynyddu’n anferthol. Mae’r chwaraewyr wedi croesawu a chofleidio eu statws, ac wedi iddynt weld y broses yn esblygu, mae’r cysylltiad sydd ganddynt â’r cefnogwyr yn gryfach nag erioed o’r blaen. Mae’r cysylltiad agos hwn wedi cynnal eu poblogrwydd ers yr ymgyrch ddiwethaf, a’r berthynas hon fydd yn sicrhau bod gêm y merched yng Nghymru yn parhau i fynd o nerth i nerth yn y dyfodol.

www.faw.cymru 9 LAST TIME 4TH APRIL 2019 – INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY RODNEY PARADE, NEWPORT

WALES 0 CZECH REPUBLIC 0

It was a night of celebration for defender Loren Dykes as she second half, with substitute Jitka Chlastkova hitting the outside become Wales’ second centurion, but Jayne Ludlow’s side of O’Sullivan’s post on the hour mark. Further chances for couldn’t find a way through the Czech Republic defence in this Petra Vystejnova and Lucie Martinkova followed but the Welsh international friendly at Rodney Parade. defence remained firm.

Jess Fishlock could have opened the scoring for Wales after 18 Both sides sensed that a winner could be on the cards in the minutes when the Lyon star combined well with Elise Hughes, final stages, and it was Dykes who almost made it a perfect but her effort went over the bar. The opportunity sparked a night when her deep cross on 83 minutes clipped the top of spell of pressure from Jayne Ludlow’s side, and further chances Votikova’s crossbar. In injury-time, Katerina Buzkova went followed for Helen Ward, Hughes and Fishlock, with the latter’s close for the visitors, but failed to hit the target after finding effort after 32 minutes being turned around the post by herself in space in the area. It would prove to be the last real goalkeeper Barbora Votikova. opportunity of the game. “For us it was a game of two halves,” said Ludlow after the match. “We lost our way in the second half Wales were pretty resolute in defence, with Sophie Ingle, Hayley for a 20 minute spell and they highlighted some concerns for us. Ladd and Gemma Evans dealing with the rare moments of We’re creating chances, the focus for us is performance, and I’m attacking pressure offered by the visitors. Petra Bartholdova sure it will come in time for the qualifiers. I would be concerned came closest for the Czech Republic in the closing stages of the if we weren’t creating chances, but that’s not the case. There opening half, but her effort didn’t trouble Laura O’Sullivan in were some really good performances from individuals in the the Wales goal. The Czech Republic showed a resurgence in the opening half.”

10 www.faw.cymru www.faw.cymru 11 12 www.faw.cymru 4 EBRILL 2019 – GÊM RYNGWLADOL GYFEILLGAR – RODNEY PARADE, CASNEWYDD CYMRU 0 WERINIAETH TSIEC 0 Roedd hi’n noson o ddathlu i amddiffynnwr Cymru, Loren Tsiec yn yr ail hanner, gyda’u heilydd Jitka Chlastkova yn taro Dykes, yr ail o dîm Cymru i chwarae 100 o gemau i’r tîm, ond y tu allan i bostyn O’Sullivan ar yr awr. Daeth cyfleoedd pellach ni lwyddodd Cymru i dorri drwy amddiffynfa’r Weriniaeth i Petra Vystejnova a Lucie Martinkova, ond safodd amddiffynfa Tsiec yn y gêm ryngwladol gyfeillgar hon yn Rodney Parade. Cymru yn gadarn unwaith eto.

Daeth Jess Fishlock yn agos at agor y sgorio i Gymru ar ôl 18 Roedd y ddau dîm yn gallu synhwyro bod gôl fuddugol yn bosibl munud pan gyfunodd seren Lyon yn dda ag Elise Hughes, ond wrth i’r gêm ddod i’w therfyn, a daeth Dykes yn agos iawn at aeth ei hymdrech dros y bar. Daeth cyfnod o bwysau gan dîm sicrhau noson berffaith i Gymru wrth i’w chroesiad dwfn ar ôl Jayne Ludlow i ddilyn y cyfle hwnnw, a chyfleoedd eraill i Helen 83 munud glipio postyn uchaf Votikova. Yn amser anafiadau, Ward, Hughes a Fishlock, gyda’r olaf o’r ymdrechion hyn ar ôl aeth Katerina Buzkova yn agos i’r ymwelwyr, ond methodd 32 munud yn cael ei wthio heibio’r postyn gan y gôl-geidwad â tharo’r targed ar ôl canfod ei hun mewn gofod yn yr ardal. Barbora Votikova. Hwnnw oedd cyfle go iawn olaf y gêm. “I ni, roedd hi’n gêm o ddwy hanner,” meddai Ludlow ar ôl y gêm. “Fe gollon ni ein Safodd Cymru yn gadarn yn eu hamddiffyn, gyda Sophie ffordd yn yr ail hanner am gyfnod o 20 munud ac fe dynnon Ingle, Hayley Ladd a Gemma Evans yn llwyddo i ymdopi â’r nhw sylw at ambell i broblem i ni. Rydyn ni’n creu cyfleoedd, eiliadau prin o ymosod gan yr ymwelwyr. Petra Bartholdova a y ffocws i ni yw perfformiad, a dwi’n siŵr y bydd hynny’n dod ddaeth agosaf i’r Weriniaeth Tsiec wrth i’r hanner cyntaf ddod mewn pryd i’r gemau rhagbrofol. Mi fuaswn i’n poeni pe na i ben, ond nid oedd ei hymdrech yn ddigon i drafferthu Laura fydden ni’n creu cyfleoedd, ond nid felly mae hi. Roedd ambell i O’Sullivan yng ngôl Cymru. Daeth ail-fywyd i ran y Weriniaeth berfformiad da iawn gan unigolion yn yr hanner cyntaf.”

www.faw.cymru 13 UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFYING OPPONENTS

Jayne Ludlow’s side have been drawn in Group C for UEFA Women’s EURO 2021 qualifying and will take on Norway, Belarus, Northern Ireland and the Faroe Islands with the aim of reaching the finals that will be held in England. Here’s a closer look at our opponents ahead of the qualifiers that will take place between August 2019 and September 2020.

Norway are the top seeds in the group side will once again compete at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France this summer, a competition they won back in 1995. The two nations were paired together in 2017 UEFA Women’s EURO qualifying. Norway won the opening match between the two sides 4-0 in October 2015, and completed the double with a 2-0 win in the return match in Newport a year later. Manager Martin Sjogren took charge of the national team in 2016, while striker Lisa-Marie Utland is a prolific goalscorer for the team. The FC Rosengard forward came to prominence when she was selected for the 2015 World Cup squad, despite never playing a senior international match.

By comparison, Belarus have never qualified for the finals of a major tournament, and recently dropped down three places to their lowest-ever position in the FIFA world rankings. Belarus were drawn against Wales in 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying, winning 4-1 when the two sides first met before playing out a 3-3 draw in the return match. Anastasiya Kharlanova is one of the better known players in the squad and plays her club football with FC Minsk, while manager Eduard Demenkovets was a senior international for his country during his playing career.

Northern Ireland were drawn against Norway in the World Cup qualifying campaign, but suffered 4-1 and 3-0 defeats against the eventual group winners. Another nation yet to qualify for the finals of a major tournament, Jess Fishlock made her 100th appearance for Wales against Northern Ireland in a 3-1 friendly victory back in April 2017 at Ystrad Mynach. Manager Alfie Wylie is experienced and well-respected coach in both the men’s and women’s games, and took charge of Northern Ireland in 2004 with responsibility for both the senior and U19 teams. Midfielder Rachel Furness is a key player in the squad and was the inaugural winner of the Northern Ireland Women’s Player of the Yea award in 2017.

Bottom seeds the Faroe Islands will host Wales in the opening match when the qualification campaign begins in August. Although they have struggled in UEFA competition throughout their history in the men’s and women’s games, they won the Island Games in 2001, 2003 and 2005, and claimed the Women’s Baltic Cup in 2016. Paetur Smith Clementsen was appointed manager of the national team in April 2017, and since October 2018 has combined his role with that of U17 team manager. Meanwhile, captain Rannva B. Andreasen is the all-time record appearance holder for the national team and also the all-time record goalscorer.

14 www.faw.cymru Mae tîm Jayne Ludlow yn canfod eu hunain yng Ngrŵp C ar gyfer garfan ac mae hi’n chwarae i glwb FC Minsk, ac arferai’r rheolwr ymgyrch ragbrofol Ewro 2021 Menywod UEFA, a byddant yn Eduard Demenkovets chwarae i’w dîm cyntaf rhyngwladol yn wynebu Norwy, Belarws, Gogledd Iwerddon ac Ynysoedd y Ffaro ystod ei yrfa. gyda’r nod o gyrraedd y rowndiau terfynol yn Lloegr. Dyma edrych yn fanylach ar ein gwrthwynebwyr cyn y gemau rhagbrofol a fydd Roedd Gogledd Iwerddon yn yr un grŵp a Norwy yn ymgyrch yn digwydd rhwng mis Awst 2019 a mis Medi 2020. ragbrofol Cwpan y Byd ddiweddar gan golli 4-1 a 3-0 i enillwyr y grŵp yn y pen draw. Tîm arall sydd eto i gyrraedd rowndiau terfynol Norwy yw’r tîm sydd wedi’i raddio uchaf o fewn y grŵp a byddant twrnamaint o bwys, chwaraeodd Jess Fishlock yn ei 100fed gêm i hefyd yn cystadlu yng Nghwpan y Byd FIFA yn Ffrainc yr haf Gymru yn erbyn Gogledd Iwerddon mewn buddugoliaeth gyfeillgar hwn, cystadleuaeth y bu iddynt ei hennill yn ôl ym 1995. Daeth 3-1 yn ôl ym mis Ebrill 2017 yn Ystrad Mynach. Mae’r rheolwr y ddwy wlad benben yn ymgyrch ragbrofol Ewro 2017 UEFA. Alfie Wylie yn brofiadol ac yn uchel iawn ei barch yng nghamp y Norwy a enillodd y cyntaf o’r gemau, a hynny o 4-0 ym mis Hydref menywod a’r dynion, ac fe gymerodd y llyw gyda Gogledd Iwerddon 2015, a nhw oedd hefyd yn fuddugol yn yr ail, gan ennill 2-0 yng yn 2004 gyda chyfrifoldeb dros y tîm cyntaf a’r tîm Dan 19. Mae’r Nghasnewydd flwyddyn yn ddiweddarach. Cymerodd y rheolwr canolwr Rachel Furness yn rhan allweddol o’r garfan a hi oedd Martin Sjogren awenau’r tîm cenedlaethol yn 2016 ac mae’r enillydd cyntaf erioed gwobr Chwaraewr Benywaidd y Flwyddyn ergydiwr Lisa-Marie Utland wedi sgorio goliau di-ri i’r tîm. Daeth Gogledd Iwerddon yn 2017. blaenwr FC Rosengard i’r amlwg pan gafodd ei dewis i garfan Cwpan y Byd 2015 Norwy, er nad oedd hi erioed wedi chwarae gêm Bydd Ynysoedd y Ffaro yn croesawu Cymru yn y gêm agoriadol ryngwladol i’r tîm cyntaf. pan fo’r ymgyrch yn dechrau fis Awst. Er nad yw timau’r menywod na’r dynion wedi ffynnu yn eu hanes yng nghystadleuaeth UEFA, O’i gymharu, nid yw Belarws erioed wedi cyrraedd rowndiau fe enillon nhw Gemau’r Ynysoedd yn 2001, 2003 a 2005, ac terfynol twrnamaint mawr, ac yn ddiweddar maent wedi disgyn tri ennill Cwpan Baltig y Menywod yn 2016. Cafodd Paetur Smith lle i’w safle isaf erioed ar restr FIFA o dimau’r byd. Roedd Belarws Clementsen ei benodi fel rheolwr y tîm cenedlaethol ym mis Ebrill a Chymru yn wrthwynebwyr yng ngemau rhagbrofol Cwpan y Byd 2017, ac ers mis Hydref 2018 mae wedi cyfuno’r rôl honno â rôl 1999 hefyd. Belarws oedd yn fuddugol yn y cyntaf o’r gemau hynny y rheolwr Dan 17. Mae capten y tîm, Rannva B. Andreasen, wedi gan ennill 4-1, a daeth yr ail gêm i ben yn gyfartal gyda sgôr o 3-3. chwarae mwy o gemau i’r tîm na’r un chwaraewr arall erioed, a Mae Anastasiya Kharlanova yn un o enwau mwyaf adnabyddus y hefyd wedi sgorio mwy o goliau na neb.

www.faw.cymru 15 OKAY, WHERE’S

MYNAMES ON SHIRT?! SHIRTS? JOHN CARRIER EXPLAINS WHY KIT WAS ALSO AN ISSUE AT THE VERY BEGINNING FOR THE WALES WOMEN’S TEAM.

FOLLOW @JOHNCARRIER7 FOR MORE.

Looking back recently, it was rather fortuitous to reflect upon “For our first game against Ireland we were loaned the men’s kit history being made for the Wales Women’s team in Italy back in from Swansea City,” explained Gaynor Jones (nee Blackwell) who January. While playing in snowy conditions, the team finally had played for Johnson Rangers and captained the team that day. their names on the back of their shirts. Another sign of progress in “It didn’t deter us though, and I was so proud of our squad.” The a story that began with a very different kit issue. At the beginning, captain scored the first-ever goal for Wales Women that day, but women’s football in Wales was administered from England in the red of Swansea City’s away kit rather than the red of Wales! through the Women’s Football Association (WFA). However, in The second goal was scored by Gloria O’Connell. “I played for 1973 a committee was formed to organise and promote women’s Newport Nightingales,” she explained. “The first Wales game I was football to international level within Wales. The chairman a substitute, but came on and scored with my first touch! In fact, appointed was John J. Rooney (an Irishman), who was also the both Gaynor and I were wearing the No.8 shirt that day!” Welsh representative on the WFA, along with Pat Quelch as the General Secretary. Pat and her husband Tony were associated with Another stalwart from this game was Michele Adams. “It Newport Nightingales. absolutely belted down all game and by the end the already big kit on us was absolutely massive and as heavy as hell,” she explained. The first Wales Women’s Manager to be appointed was 41-year old “I was the youngest player that day to play for Wales, at 15 years Grey Phillips, a police constable from Swansea, and a well-qualified and 11 days old.” The match eventually finished 3-2 to Ireland, and football coach. His appointment was made by Trevor Morris, I spoke to the manager, Grey Phillips, for the final word. “It rained the General Secretary of the FAW. The position was voluntary, all through the match that day,” he added. “Their captain (Paula with Grey’s expenses to be met by the WFA. Grey recruited an Brennan – nee Gorman) scored in the last couple of minutes to win assistant, Dave Powell from Port Talbot. While researching Wales the match.” As a side note, Welsh caps were not awarded, but they Women’s football I thought I would share some of the back story had to be purchased for £5.00 each. However, the team did have a I have acquired for a forthcoming book on the history of this Wales kit for their next game which was away to England some 10 fascinating subject with you. Here are quotes from the pioneers months later, but that’s another story in itself! who played when the Republic of Ireland came to Stebonheath, Llanelli for the inaugural match that took place on Sunday, 13th May 1973.

16 www.faw.cymru SGENENWAU AR GRYSAU? TI YMA MAEGRYS JOHN CARRIER I YNMI ESBONIO PLÎS? PAM OEDD CIT HEFYD YN BROBLEM O’R CYCHWYN CYNTAF I DÎM MERCHED CYMRU

DILYNWCH @JOHNCARRIER7 I DDARLLEN RHAGOR.

Wrth fwrw golwg yn ôl yn ddiweddar, fe wnes i ddechrau myfyrio “Ar gyfer ein gêm gyntaf yn erbyn Iwerddon fe gawson ni fenthyg am ferched Cymru yn creu hanes yn yr Eidal nôl ym mis Ionawr. cit y dynion gan Abertawe,” eglurodd Gaynor Jones (Blackwell A hwythau’n chwarae mewn eira, o’r diwedd roedd gan y tîm eu gynt) a oedd yn gapten y diwrnod hwnnw ac yn chwarae i Johnson henwau ar gefn eu crysau. Arwydd arall o gynnydd mewn stori Rangers bryd hynny. “Ond wnaeth hynny ddim rhoi stop arnon ni, a ddechreuodd gyda hanes gwahanol iawn y tu ôl i’r cit. Pan ac ro’n i mor falch o’n carfan ni.” Sgoriodd y capten y gôl gyntaf ddechreuodd y cyfan, roedd pêl-droed merched yng Nghymru yn erioed i Ferched Cymru y diwrnod hwnnw, ond yn gwisgo coch cael ei weinyddu o Loegr drwy Gymdeithas Bêl-droed y Merched oddi cartref Abertawe yn hytrach na choch Cymru! Daeth yr ail gôl (neu’r WFA). Fodd bynnag, ym 1973 ffurfiwyd pwyllgor i drefnu a gan Gloria O’Connell. “Ro’n i’n chwarae i’r Newport Nightingales,” hyrwyddo pêl-droed merched ar lefel ryngwladol o fewn Cymru. meddai. “Ro’n i’n eilydd yng ngêm gyntaf Cymru, ond fe ddois i Cafodd John J. Rooney (o Iwerddon) ei benodi fel cadeirydd, a fe ymlaen a sgorio gyda fy nghyffyrddiad cyntaf! Ro’n i a Gaynor yn hefyd oedd cynrychiolydd Cymru ar y WFA, ynghyd â Pat Quelch fel gwisgo’r crys Rhif 8 y diwrnod hwnnw!” yr Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol. Roedd Pat a’i gŵr Tony yn gysylltiedig â’r Newport Nightingales. Un arall o hoelion wyth y gêm honno oedd Michele Adams. “Roedd hi’n bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn drwy gydol y gêm gyfan ac erbyn Y rheolwr cyntaf i’w benodi ar gyfer tîm merched Cymru oedd y diwedd roedd y cit, a oedd eisoes yn fawr arnon ni, yn enfawr Grey Phillips, cwnstabl heddlu o Abertawe, a hyfforddwr pêl-droed ac yn uffernol o drwm,” eglurodd. “Fi oedd y chwaraewr ‘fengaf cymwys iawn. Cafodd ei benodi gan Trevor Morris, Ysgrifennydd y diwrnod hwnnw i chwarae i Gymru, yn 15 ac 11 diwrnod oed”. Cyffredinol CBDC. Roedd hi’n swydd wirfoddol, a chostau Grey yn Iwerddon a enillodd yn y pendraw, a hynny o 3-2, ac fe ges i sgwrs cael eu talu gan y WFA. Recriwtiodd Grey rhywun i’w helpu, Dave â’r rheolwr Grey Phillips i gael y gair olaf. “Roedd hi’n bwrw drwy Powell o Bort Talbot. A finnau wedi bod yn ymchwilio’n fanwl i gydol y gêm,” ychwanegodd. “Sgoriodd eu capten nhw (Paula hanes pêl-droed Merched Cymru, hoffwn rannu â chi tamaid o stori Brennan – Gorman gynt) yn y munudau olaf i ennill y gêm.” A dyma gefndirol llyfr sydd ar y gweill ar hanes y pwnc hynod ddiddorol ffaith ddifyr arall – doedd chwaraewyr ddim yn ennill capiau am hwn. Dyma ambell i ddyfyniad gan yr arloeswyr a chwaraeodd pan chwarae bryd hynny, yn hytrach roedd yn rhaid eu prynu am £5.00 ddaeth Gweriniaeth Iwerddon i Stebonheath, Llanelli ar gyfer gêm yr un! Diolch byth, roedd gan y tîm git Cymru ar gyfer eu gêm gyntaf Merched Cymru a gynhaliwyd ddydd Sul 13 Mai 1973. nesaf, a oedd oddi cartref yn erbyn Lloegr 10 mis yn ddiweddarach. Ond mae honno’n stori arall yn ei hun!

www.faw.cymru 17 18 www.faw.cymru Jess Fishlock fulfilled another career ambition last month as lift the trophy, achieving success with Arsenal back in 2007, and she lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy. spoke to FC Cymru about this latest success in Fishlock’s incredi- ble career. “I think as you get older you enjoy achievements more A key player for dominant French champions Lyon during her because you realise this isn’t going to happen for the next 10 or recent loan spell at the club, Fishlock was named in the start- so years,” explained Ludlow. “It’s not going to keep happening. ing line-up for the UWCL final against FC Barcelona in Budapest, Hopefully Jess still has a few more years at the top level, but I’m and her side stormed into an early convincing lead as a goal from sure she’s really enjoying these moments. Dzsenifer Marozsan in the opening exchanges was followed by a hat-trick from Ada Hegerberg inside 30 minutes. Asisat Oshoala “When you’re young you think you’re going to win those trophies scored a late consolation for Barcelona in the 4-1 win. every year. Jess understands now that’s not the case, and I’m sure she celebrated in an appropriate manner. The fact that we’re Fishlock, 32, has claimed titles across the world during the not bringing her in for this game against New Zealand means course of her impressive club career, and remains the most- she can rest and recover ahead of her next campaign when she capped player in national team history. Since becoming a profes- returns to her club, and we won’t interfere with that. It makes sional player as a teenager, Fishlock has played club football in sense for her, the club, and for us.” the Netherlands, England, Australia, Scotland, the United States, Germany and France. She also became the first Welsh interna- tional to make a century of appearances against Northern Ireland back in 2017. Wales manager Jayne Ludlow is the only other Welsh player to

www.faw.cymru 19 FISHLOCK YN ENNILL CORON EWROP

Llwyddodd Jess Fishlock i wireddu uchelgais arall yn ei gyrfa fis diwethaf wrth godi tlws Cynghrair Pencampwyr y Merched UEFA.

A hithau’n rhan allweddol o’r tîm llwyddiannus o Ffrainc yn ystod ei chyfnod diweddar ar fenthyg gyda’r clwb, cafodd ei henwi i ddechrau yn y rownd derfynol yn erbyn FC Barcelona yn Budapest. Buan iawn aeth ei thîm ar y blaen mewn steil gyda gôl gan Dzsenifer Marozsan yn y chwarae agoriadol a hatric i ddilyn gan Ada Hegerberg, y cyfan o fewn y 30 munud cyntaf! Sgoriodd Asisat Oshoala gôl gysur hwyr i Barcelona yn y fuddugoliaeth 4-1.

Mae Fishlock, 32, wedi ennill pencampwriaethau ar draws y byd yn ystod ei gyrfa chwarae ryfeddol, ac mae hi wedi ennill fwy o gapiau na’r un chwaraewr arall yn hanes y tîm cenedlaethol. Ers dod yn chwaraewr proffesiynol yn ei harddegau, mae Jess wedi chwarae i glybiau yn yr Iseldiroedd, Lloegr, Awstralia, yr Alban, yr Unol Daleithiau, yr Almaen a Ffrainc. Hi hefyd oedd chwaraewr cyntaf merched Cymru i chwarae can gêm ryngwladol yn erbyn Gogledd Iwerddon yn ôl yn 2017. Rheolwr Cymru, Jayne Ludlow, yw’r unig chwaraewr Cymreig arall i godi’r tlws, a hynny gydag Arsenal yn ôl yn 2007. Dyma oedd ganddi i’w ddweud wrth FC Cymru am y llwyddiant diweddaraf yng ngyrfa anhygoel Fishlock. “Dwi’n meddwl wrth i chi fynd y hŷn rydych chi’n mwynhau llwyddiannau mwy gan eich bod chi’n syl- weddoli nad yw’n mynd i ddigwydd am y 10 mlynedd nesaf,” eglu- rodd Ludlow. “Dydy e’ ddim yn mynd i ddigwydd o hyd. Gobeithio bod gan Jess dipyn o flynyddoedd o’i blaen ar y lefel uchaf eto, ond dwi’n siŵr ei bod hi wir yn mwynhau ar y funud.

“Pan ydych chi’n ifanc, rydych chi’n meddwl eich bod chi am ennill y tlysau yna bob blwyddyn. Mae Jess yn deall nawr nad felly mae hi, a dwi’n siŵr y gwnaeth hi ddathlu mewn ffordd briodol! Mae’r ffaith nad ydyn ni’n dod a hi mewn ar gyfer y gêm hon yn erbyn Seland Newydd yn golygu ei bod hi’n gallu gorffwys a gwella cyn ein hymgyrch nesaf pan fydd hi’n dychwelyd i’w chlwb, a byddwn ni ddim yn ymyrryd yn hynny. Mae’n gwneud synnwyr iddi hi, ei chlwb ac i ni.”

20 www.faw.cymru

CARDIFF MET DOMINATE ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT It was another successful season for Cardiff Met Women as the Madison Schupback and Alice Griffiths proved to be enough for the side managed by Dr Kerry Harris completed the domestic treble. side in the 3-1 victory in early April. With the WPWL title already As a result, the side will once again compete in the UEFA Women’s claimed, the treble was completed as a brace from Schupbach Champions League next season, with the qualifying draw taking against Abergavenny Women in the FAW Women’s Cup Final place on 21st June before the action begins in August. Although completed the domestic treble with a 2-0 victory. The aim now Cardiff Met are no strangers to success and silverware in the will be to emulate their domestic form on the European stage, and domestic game, what made this season exceptional was the fact progress through the qualifying round for the first time. they remained unbeaten in all competitions, drawing just two of their sixteen Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League fixtures, and Meanwhile, Penrhyn Bay claimed the FAW U16 Girl’s Cup with claiming both cups. a dramatic 3-2 win over Villa Dino Christchurch in the final at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue in April. Ella Jones was the hat- Finishing the season with an eight point advantage over main rivals trick hero for the north Wales side, but they didn’t have everything Swansea City Ladies, the Archers had the advantage against the their own way, as goals from Gemma Prosser and Amy Williams put Swans in the League Cup Final too, as goals from Alice Thompson, Villa Dino ahead twice in the match.

MET CAERDYDD YN HAWLIO’R LLWYFAN DOMESTIG

Roedd hi’n dymor llwyddiannus arall i Ferched Met Caerdydd wrth Madison Schupback ac Alice Griffiths fod yn ddigon i sicrhau i dîm Dr Kerry Harris gipio’r trebl domestig. O ganlyniad, bydd buddugoliaeth 3-1 ddechrau mis Ebrill. A hwythau eisoes wedi y tîm yn cystadlu yng Nghynghrair Pencampwyr Merched UEFA ennill yr Uwch Gynghrair, daeth y trebl diolch i ddwy gôl gan unwaith eto’r tymor nesaf, gyda’r enwau yn cael eu tynnu o’r het ar Schupbach yn erbyn merched y Fenni yn Rownd Derfynol Cwpan gyfer y rowndiau rhagbrofol ar 21 Mehefin cyn i’r gemau ddechrau Merched CBDC. Y nod nawr yw efelychu eu perfformiad domestig ym mis Awst. Er nad yw llwyddiant a thlysau yn rhywbeth dieithr ar lwyfan Ewrop, a symud ymlaen i’r rownd ragbrofol am y tro i dîm Met Caerdydd yn y gêm ddomestig, roedd y tymor hwn yn cyntaf erioed. eithriadol gan na gollon nhw’r un gêm mewn un gystadleuaeth, a dim ond dwy o’u gemau yn Uwch Gynghrair Merched Cymru Yn y cyfamser, Bae Penrhyn hawliodd Cwpan Merched Dan Orchard ddaeth i ben yn gyfartal. Ac wrth gwrs fe hawlion nhw’r 16 CBDC gyda buddugoliaeth fyrlymus 3-2 dros Villa Dino ddau gwpan hefyd. Christchurch yn y rownd derfynol yng Nghoedlan y Parc, Aberystwyth ym mis Ebrill. Ella Jones oedd arwres y hatric i’r tîm Gan orffen y tymor gyda mantais o wyth pwynt dros Abertawe, o Ogledd Cymru, ond roedd hynny ar ôl i Gemma Prosser ac Amy daeth yr Archers i’r brig yn erbyn yr Elyrch yn rownd derfynol Williams roi Villa Dino ar y blaen ddwywaith yn ystod y gêm. Cwpan y Gynghrair hefyd wrth i goliau gan Alice Thompson, 22 www.faw.cymru

WALES / CYMRU NEW ZEALAND Laura O’SULLIVAN Olivia CLARK Sophie INGLE Nadia OLLA Hayley LADD Ria PERCIVAL Loren DYKES Anna GREEN Gemma EVANS CJ BOTT Rhiannon ROBERTS Meikayla MOORE Lily WOODHAM Natasha HARDING Chloe LLOYD Anna FILBEY Sarah MORTON Kylie NOLAN Stephanie SKILTON Charlie ESTCOURT Annalie LONGO Elise HUGHES Betsy HASSETT Emma JONES Megan WYNNE Helen WARD Kayleigh GREEN Ella POWELL Georgia EVANS Sarah GREGORIUS

Referee: Lizzy van der Helm (Netherlands) Assistant referee 1: Fijke Hoogendijk (Netherlands) Assistant referee 2: Diana Snoeren (Netherlands) 4th official: Cheryl Foster (Wales)

All content copyright of the Football Association of Wales Mae hawlfraint yr holl gynnwys yn pertain i Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru

Contact Us / Cysylltwch â Ni: FAW / CBDC www.faw.cymru | 029 2043 5830

THE FOOTBALLSign up for the ASSOCIATION official Together StrongerOF WALES Newsletter: FOUNDED 1876 CYMDEITHAS BÊL-DROED CYMRU SEFYDLWYD 1876