Iain Darbyshire believes Cardiff City Women are in a far better place at present to challenge in Europe as they prepare for their Champions League qualifying campaign.
The Bluebirds, the Adran Premier title holders, go to reigning League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division champions Athlone Town in the semi-finals of the first qualifying round on Wednesday night (19:30 BST).
It will be Cardiff’s third successive season of competing in the Champions League qualifying phase, although they are yet to win in Europe.
But having dominated the domestic game of late, head coach Darbyshire feels the club are now better equipped to challenge further afield.
“We have been successful but we hadn’t been in the Champions League prior to the last couple of years, I think it was 10 years before that,” he said.
“The women’s game changes incredibly quickly. The first couple of years in the Champions League were a real steep learning curve for us, and we feel that, right now, we’re in a much better place.
“The group have been together for well over a year now and we feel we can have a positive week when we’re away in Ireland.”
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