Gemma Grainger has said Wales will focus on “being more ruthless in every game” as they look to culminate their Pinatar Cup campaign with victory against Scotland on Tuesday.
After defeating the Philippines 1-0 in their opening match of the campaign, Wales were held to a goalless draw on Sunday against Iceland, though it was Wales, who sit 16 places lower in Fifa rankings, who fashioned the better chances and looked to seize victory on the night.
From the off, Wales dominated proceedings and very nearly punished Iceland through an unapologetic press, but were ultimately left ruing missed opportunities from Rachel Rowe, Ceri Holland and Kayleigh Green.
READ MORE: Wales clinch first win since Switzerland heartbreak with Pinatar Cup triumph
The draw keeps Wales technically poised for a potential first-ever piece of silverware as they head into Tuesday’s final round of matches, but with Iceland sitting top of the table by a marginal goal difference with a finale against a marooned Philippines side, goals could prove decisive in the trophy hunt - or more aptly, Wales' lack of them.
The final flourish is proving a problematic task of late for Wales, who have scored just five goals in their last seven matches despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and carving plenty of clear-cut chances to put away opponents.
But Grainger pointed to the high-quality chances being created by her side and preached the importance of patience in developing the essential edge that has evaded Wales.
“I was really pleased with the performance, really pleased with the football we played against a team that qualified for so many European championships and is 16 places higher,” Grainger said of Wales’ performance against Iceland.
“We dominate games, we create chances, now it’s about finding the finishing. We have such good players and we want to create freedom within that structure that we’re playing. That’s what we’re doing and sometimes I think we’re tiny margins away from scoring some of the best goals the team have ever scored.”
Grainger spoke at length in the lead up to the Pinatar Cup of the importance of building momentum as the team crest into a year in which the quest for a major tournament qualification feels unyielding following the team’s World Cup play-off final heartbreak in Zurich. Clinching the Pinatar Cup over heady opposition would be the first step in building towards that goal.
“We wanted to come to this camp and really focus on momentum. And we know that Iceland are the type of team that we could draw in the Nations League so for us it’s how we are competitive against a team like that, we learn what we need to learn,” she said.
She added: “In my mind, when we play higher-ranked opposition, I want to try to find a way for us not only to compete but win the game. We were disappointed not to win the game [against Iceland], which is a sign of our mentality. We want to focus on how we can be ruthless in every game."
In terms of trajectory, the side’s development can be charted well through their clashes with Scotland while under Grainger’s tenure, with the team falling to a narrow 1-0 loss in Grainger’s opening months before seizing a 3-1 victory at last year’s Pinatar Cup.
Wales will hope for a similar performance on Tuesday, with victory against the Scots and a draw or loss from Iceland or victory by a lower margin over the Philippines ensuring Wales Women lift their first-ever piece of silverware.
Kick-off for Wales v Scotland is at 2pm GMT on Tuesday, February 21.
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