Wales face up to challenge of life after Fishlock

The end of one era signals the start of the next.

For Wales, a friendly against Poland on Tuesday in Newport will mark the start of life.

And so begins the difficult task of rebuilding after the Wales team’s foundation has been lost in Fishlock’s international retirement.

Fishlock has played in more than two-thirds of the games in the women’s football team’s history, making it a national squad for almost two decades.

She continues to be Wales’ standout player even as her 39th birthday approaches, at least until she bid her final farewells on Saturday at Cardiff City Stadium.

Without Fishlock, Rhian Wilkinson will be the head coach tasked with leading Wales and ensuring that their progression is continued without their iconic number 10.

Wilkinson claims that Fishlock’s international retirement would be a “waste of energy” in trying to fill the void.

“I’ve watched it happen in Canada when Christine Sinclair retired, and then they just decided, oh this is the next]one,” I said.

They are “one-offs.” That is impossible for you.

Wales must instead develop a new strategy, according to Wilkinson.

In the wake of Euro 2025, Fishlock, who spent the majority of her professional career with Seattle Reign, joins Kayleigh Barton in hanging up the red shirt of Wales. This will give younger, less experienced players the chance to show they can succeed on the international stage.

Wilkinson acknowledges that Wales is going through a transition due to the personnel change.

She said, “Yes absolutely, and that’s a scary word.”

It’s a fascinating word. I believe there are now many opportunities for players who may have had a development or fringe career.

There is a nod to the future in the current camp with the seven players from Wales’ Euro 2025 squad who were injured.

In the 92nd minute of Australia’s friendly defeat, Fishlock was substituted.

She gave Angharad James the captain’s armband, but Tianna Teisar, a 20-year-old forward, took the baton in her place.

With Gwen Zimmerman starting in defense and Scarlett Hill stepping in for Ffion Morgan late on, Teisar was one of three players who received debuts on the day Fishlock bid farewell.

Mia Ross, Teagan Scarlett, and Poppy Soper were the other young players on the bench, as are Amy Richardson and Annie Wilding, both of whom are hoping to play some soccer against Poland.

They have probably watched Jess their entire life, Wilkinson said, “for them.”

She has played for the team and demonstrated her enthusiasm for the badge.

It’s a regular game, in my opinion, but I don’t think you watch any national teams that don’t feel like they represent [their country].

Fishlock didn’t score in the final international match against Australia, but it seemed as though Wales would earn her honor with a respectable draw in the 2023 World Cup semi-finals.

Before Caitlin Foord’s late winner, Wales squared off against the Matildas after a soft Courtney Nevin opener and Mared Griffiths’ first international goal set the scene.

The 18-year-old was winning her only second cap as she began one of two attacking midfield positions alongside Fishlock, narrowly missing out on a spot in Wales’ European Championship squad.

After Fishlock was tackled, Griffiths latched on to a loose ball before chipping it past Australia goalkeeper Teagen Micah and into the far corner of the net.

“Mared just ran the entire time she was out there,” Wilkinson said. “But with purpose,” she said.

What a successful goal, and [it was] pretty symbolic, right? The final game for Jessica, a young star coming up and scoring a world record like that.