Women’s World Cup qualifying: Rhian Wilkinson reveals Wales team plane was struck by lightning

Having struggled to reach Montenegro, Wales could only draw with opponents they were expected to beat with something to spare on a miserable evening at the Gradski Stadion.

A victory would have put Wilkinson’s team in pole position to top their group, but instead they must now beat the Czechs if they are to finish first and therefore secure a more favourable route in the play-offs later this year.

“I think that there’s the luck of a draw whether you finish first or second,” Wilkinson said.

“Yes, you have a slightly better opportunity finishing first, but I do think momentum-wise and confidence-wise – and for the players to really recognise the growth they’ve made in the last few years – I think it’s important that we win this game.

“This is a huge game and I think it’s a challenge against a team that is in almost every single category equal to us.”

Wales and the Czech Republic are level on points having both won three and drawn two of their five group games to date.

A Czech win in Cardiff would see them finish top, while a draw would also be good enough for Jitka Klimkova’s team because of their better goal difference.

While both the Czech Republic and Wales are already certain to be in the play-offs, claiming first place would mean avoiding a League A side at the semi-final stage in October.

Wilkinson says she has a fully fit squad available for the game – aside from Hayley Ladd, who was not called up in this window due to injury – with Carrie Jones and Lily Woodham both in line to reach 50 Wales caps on Tuesday.