A teary Tash Harding marked her 100th cap with a goal as Wales put three past a woeful Kazakhstan in their latest World Cup qualifier.
Wales totally dominated possession in the first half, but had to bide their time as Kazakhstan’s defence sat deep and initially frustrated the visiting front line. But striker Kayleigh Green, on her return from suspension, finally broke the deadlock with a smart finish from the edge of the box.
Harding poked home a superb Ceri Holland cross to double Wales’ lead three minutes before the break, and Wales secured the three points in the second half when captain Jess Fishlock smashed the ball into the net just after the hour. Sitting second in their group, Wales now occupy the play-off spot where they’ll remain providing Slovenia don’t upset France tonight.
Gemma Grainger’s side were strengthened by the return of striker Green from suspension, but were otherwise unchanged from their defeat to France. Wales, who had just 29% possession in that game, enjoyed far more of the ball in the opening stages here, as Kazakhstan sat deep with a back line of six at times.
Fishlock and Sophie Ingle both tried to thread through balls through the Kazakh box, but laboured to find the killer final ball needed. Wales’ dominance was briefly threatened by a Kazakhstan counter-attack, but Fatima Satygaliyeva’s shot landed on top of the net.
The best early chance came when Harding was floored by a late challenge, earning a good free kick position for Angharad James. She crossed to Rhiannon Roberts, but her effort was smashed straight at the keeper.
Moments later, Roberts was involved again with a free header from a corner, but she couldn’t convert. Holland and Roberts created plenty of Wales chances, winning the ball back from Kazakhstan effortlessly. But Wales were guilty of trying to pass the ball into the net at times, and Green was caught offside twice as the half wore on.
However, the frustration was finally ended by a Green goal after some slick build up play in final third. The Brighton striker picked it up on edge of the box and fired a low shot into the bottom left corner, bagging her 16th goal for Wales in the process.
Two more brilliant chances came the way of Roberts and Ingle but both shots were fired wide - the latter sending a half-volley glancing off the upright. Wales finally went 2-0 up as Harding poked in a pinpoint Holland cross three minutes before half-time.
The break arrived with Wales two goals ahead but in truth it could have been five. The visitors flew out of the blocks in the second half, again hogging possession and looking threatening without scoring.
The Kazakhstan goalkeeper Nazym Ismailova picked off two crosses from Harding, but James’ pass found Fishlock, who opened her body and struck the ball into the bottom left corner. Kazakhstan, who showed almost no attacking intent in the match, had a couple of counter-attacks but they were picked off by an onrushing Laura O’Sullivan.
Once again Fishlock charged onto a through ball, but she opted to cross when she could have finished herself and the chance was wasted. Wales substitutions kept the pressure on Kazakhstan, leading to Ffion Morgan being cynically fouled.
A well-worked free kick then ended in Gemma Evans’ header being saved. Indeed, a deserved fourth goal proved elusive for Wales, but they come away from Kazakhstan with a vital three points.
A win in Greece would most probably leave Wales needing just a point from their final game against Slovenia to qualify for the play-offs as they continue their bid to qualify for a first ever World Cup.
Kazakhstan : Ismailova; Demidova, Nurusheva, Aitmova, Borova; Myasnikova; Sadykova (Turlybekova 45), Zhumabaykyzy, Kozhakhment (Koziyeva 68), Vlasova (Kuztay 90); Satygaliyeva (Orynbasarova 80)
Subs n/u: Shalmukhanbetova, Mukashova, Bortnikova, Zeinali, Karazhanova
Wales : O'Sullivan; Roberts (Morgan 75), Ladd, Evans, Rowe; Ingle; Harding (Hughes 85), Fishlock, James, Holland (Woodham 61); Green (Jones 75)
Subs n/u : Green, Ward, Clark, Estcourt, Walter, Wynne, Soper, Filbey
