World Cup play-off / Grima: We have faith in the girls for the two historic matches against Wales

The women’s national team has begun its training camp in Shkoder, ahead of the two historic matches against Wales, valid for the play-off phase of the “Brazil 2027” World Cup. Albania will face Wales on 9 October at the “Loro Borici” stadium and on 13 October away.

At this important moment for women’s football in Albania, the national team coach, Armir Grima, has spoken to fshf.org, praising the girls’ work and dedication, as well as the atmosphere in the squad ahead of the two challenges.

Grima stresses that the red-and-black team is at a historic moment and that reaching this phase is the result of the work the girls have done over the years.

“It is true that these are two very important matches for us. We are playing for major things that once perhaps it was not thought Albania could reach this level. Thanks to the girls’ work, passion, desire and persistence we are at this point. Realistically we are at objectives we set ourselves, they are achievable for us.

Now this is the cherry on the cake. Seeing the girls’ arrival, the desire and dedication they have for the match, I believe we will do good things in these two matches. I have great faith in the girls, I am perhaps a little fixated on the faith I have in these girls. Even though we may have health problems, injuries and absences. We have Arbenita who, because of injury, is not in the camp. We have Klea who does not play in the first match because of cards. But I always believe strongly in the group, that we will produce good matches, to justify having come to this point”, Grima said.

Facing Albania will be Wales, a familiar opponent for the women’s national team, since they have faced each other before. Coach Grima stresses that the team must play calmly and without pressure.

“With a team that you know and know what potential it has. Perhaps the next match could be a little easier. I think the pressure is not on our team. We are working hard so that we do not have pressure on our team, so that we do not go in with the cramp of the positive result.

Naturally it is important because these matches are needed, but the pressure is on the Wales team because they are used to always being in FIFA’s and UEFA’s main competitions. We will play with the opponent’s nerves”, he said.

Finally, Grima also has a message for the Shkoder fans and all the national team’s supporters, inviting them to be close to the girls at this historic moment.

“Shkoder is always a great supporter of ours. Every time we have played, we have always had maximum support from the Shkoder fans. But I believe we have one more reason. We have one more reason for these girls who have given everything for this football. They are girls who deserve support. They have given everything and have put their passion and desire to break many taboos.

They deserve a lot of backing and they are at a point where we only have to support them for what they have given to football and they have never taken or asked for anything extra. The duty of all of us is to support them, to achieve these historic results that we need. I believe there will be maximally good support in Shkoder and I believe strongly that we will have them and honour them and send them out of the stadium with their heads held high”, said Armir Grima.

The first Albania–Wales match will be played on 9 October, at 18:00, at the “Loro Borici” stadium.