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Perfect day for Tash

Kazakhstan 0

Wales 3 (K.Green 30, Harding 42, Fishlock 65)

Natasha Harding celebrated earning her 100th cap with a goal in a dominant display as Gemma Grainger’s team got over the disappointment of losing to group leaders France on Friday after running them so close in Llanelli.

Kazakhstan were looking to frustrate Wales early on in this match with physical play and putting all of their players behind the ball. However, the home team were unable to keep them at bay and on the 30th minute, there was a breakthrough.

Kayleigh Green had returned to the starting line up following suspension and when she received the ball from Angharad James on the edge of the box, the Wales  striker was allowed space to turn and pick her spot to make it 1-0.

Wales were piling the pressure on the Kazakhstan defence and it looked like the class of Sophie Ingle had opened up an opportunity to double the lead. Ingle hit a lovely strike from outside the box which clipped the post.

A second goal was soon to come. With a cross from the left, Ceri Holland picked out Harding at the far post where she was able to just place the ball over the line for 2-0. It was a dream goal on a very special occasion for Harding.

Wales made it 3-0 in the second half to comfortably secure all three points, when James threaded a pass into the box for Jessica Fishlock, who steadied herself before striking across the goal to nestle the ball inside the left post.

There are just two games left for Wales in their qualifying group - they are away to Greece on Friday 2nd September before what could be a winner takes all match for a place in the World Cup play-offs against Slovenia at home on Tuesday 6th September.

Kazakhstan: Nazym Ismailova, Kundyz Kozhakhmet (sub Zhansaya Koziyeva 68mins), Alexandra Burova, Aigerim Aitymova, Mariya Demidova, Yulia Myasnikova, Aisha Sadykova (sub Asselkhan Turlybekova 45mins), Karina Zhumabaikyzy, Bibigul Nurusheva, Fatima Satygaliyeva (sub Arailym Orynbassarova 80mins), Anastassiya Vlassova (sub Aidana Kuztay 89mins). Subs not used: Viktoriya Zeinali, Nazerke Shalmukhanbetova, Yasmina Mukashova, Svetlana Bortnikova, Assem Karazhanova.

Wales: Laura O’Sullvan, Rhiannon Roberts (sub Ffion Morgan 75mins), Rachel Rowe, Sophie Ingle, Gemma Evans, Hayley Ladd, Ceri Holland (sub Lily Woodham 60mins), Angharad James, Kayleigh Green (sub Carrie Jones 75mins), Jessica Fishlock, Natasha Harding (sub Elise Hughes 85mins). Subs not used: Olivia Clark, Poppy Soper, Josie Green, Helen Ward, Charlie Estcourt, Georgia Walters, Megan Wynne, Anna Filbey.

(faw.cymru)