New centurion Tash Harding was on the scoresheet as Wales defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 out in Nur-Sultan.
Harding along with Kayleigh Green and Jess Fishlock ensured a routine victory for Cymru, but they could and probably should have scored more than three.
The opening half hour was quiet. While Wales had the vast majority of possession, they didn’t have much happening in the final third, thanks to Kazakhstan playing, at times, with six at the back. The best chance fell to Rhiannon Roberts, whose first-time effort from Angharad James’ free kick was well saved by Nazym Ismailova.
The deadlock, however, was broken on the half hour mark. James collected the ball on the edge of the area and played it to the feet of Kayleigh Green. The Brighton striker turned and guided her effort into the bottom corner, to calm the nerves in the Welsh squad.
Wales then had a few chances to double their lead. Tash Harding couldn’t quite guide her effort into the far corner, while Sophie Ingle hit the bar.
But the centurion got her goal two minutes before half-time. Ceri Holland played a wonderful cross into the box where she found Harding, who beat the offside trap and tapped the ball into the bottom corner, meaning Wales went back into the dressing room with a comfortable lead.
Wales picked up where they left off in the second half, playing forward and keeping possession well. It was in the 65th minute where they got their third. James was once again the creator, finding Fishlock with a through ball. The veteran took an excellent touch to set herself, before powering her effort past a helpless Ismailova.
Wales had chances to get more than three. Harding missing a guilt edge opportunity, while Gemma Evans’ header was straight at Ismailova.
Gemma Grainger will perhaps be frustrated that her side couldn’t score more than three goals on the night, but a victory was all that was needed, and they will now move on to face Greece at the beginning of September.
Player of the Match: Angharad James
Honourable mentions to Rhiannon Roberts, Rachel Rowe, and Tash Harding, but James was magnificent today. The Orlando Pride midfielder created chance after chance and was at the heart of everything.
Wales
Laura O’Sullivan (GK), Rhiannon Roberts (Ffion Morgan, 75’), Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans, Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle ©, Angharad James, Kayleigh Green (Carrie Jones, 75’), Jess Fishlock, Tash Harding (Elise Hughes, 85’), Ceri Holland (Lily Woodham, 61’)
Unused Subs: Olivia Clark (GK), Poppy Soper (GK), Josie Green, Helen Ward, Chloe Williams, Charlie Estcourt, Georgia Walters, Meg Wynne, Anna Filbey
Goals: Kayleigh Green (30’), Tash Harding (43’), Jess Fishlock (65’)
Kazakhstan
Nazym Ismailova (GK), Mariya Demidova, Aigerim Aitymova, Yulia Myasnikova ©, Bibigul Nurusheva, Alexandra Burova, Aisha Sadykova (Asselkhan Turlybekova, 45’), Karina Zhumabaykyzy, Kundyz Kozhakhmet (Zhansaya Koziyeva, 68’), Anastassiya Vlassova (Aidana Kuztay, 89’), Fatima Satygalieva (Arailym Orynbassarova, 79’)
Unused Subs: Victoria Zeynali (GK), Nazerke Shalmukhanbetova, Yasmina Mukashova, Svetlana Bortnikova, Assem Karazhanova
Yellow Cards: Aisha Sadykova (2’), Bibigul Nurusheva (89’), Mariya Demidova (90’)
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