Women's World Cup qualifying: Kazakhstan 0-3 Wales - Fishlock seals comfortable win

1. Jessica Fishlock stretches Wales advantage
2. Forward Natasha Harding doubles lead on 100th Wales cap
3. Kayleigh Green breaks deadlock for Wales
4. Wales move back into second in Group I. Leaders France host third-place Slovenia later
5. Finishing second would be enough to secure a play-off berth for a place at the 2023 World Cup

Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Two Wales

I just had a feeling they were setting up for that set-piece, Wales were practising it the other day. It's a routine save, straight to her, but it's a good shot. Ideally you'd get that lower and harder into the corner.

Now Angharad James sends in a corner and again Rhiannon Roberts is there, but her header floats over.

First big chance goes to Wales

Angharad James rolls the free-kick - which follows that spat involving Natasha Harding - low into the box.

Rhiannon Roberts pulls off her marker and drives goalwards, but her effort is too close to the keeper and Kazakhstan escape.

Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Two Wales

That was a late challenge. But Tash has had worse, and with her experience you don't expect to see her reacting like that in the 11th minute.

Natasha Harding is unimpressed. She is chopped down outside the box and is left fuming at Anastassiya Vlassova.

Surprisingly, there are no yellow cards shown.

Reuters

Now Wales come forward with purpose. Jess Fishlock waltzes beyond her marker before Rhiannon Roberts' half-cleared cross reaches Rachel Rowe.

She connects well but sees her effort blocked.

A first scare for Wales as Karina Zhumabaikyzy's cross-shot dips towards Laura O'Sullivan's goal before landing on the roof of the net.

That is the first sign of attacking intent from the home side.

Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Two Wales

It's going to be a completely different type of game to the France one where Wales had just 29% of possession and had to absorb pressure for most of it.

They will have more possession today, but the challenge will be keeping it and not forcing the passes that aren't there.

That's an inviting ball into the area from Angharad James, but Kayleigh Green cannot quite get the before goalkeeper.

Wales already look threatening.

Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Two Wales

It's a straight shoot-out for second spot between Wales and Slovenia, who had a 2-0 win away to Kazakhstan at the weekend. They are playing France now so Wales will be watching that result closely later.

Ceri Holland is tugged back on halfway by Aisha Sadykova, who is booked.

Wales seeing plenty of the ball early on.

Gwennan Harries

Former Wales striker on BBC Two Wales

Playing for Wales means absolutely everything to Tash and her family. But she is professional enough now to get her game face on ready and celebrate her 100th cap with a win.

KICK-OFF

We are off and running at the Astana Arena.

Nia Jones

Former Wales international on BBC Two Wales

Back when Tash and I started out, the concept of a woman being able to play 100 games just wasn't there. We didn't have the fixtures, we didn't go to tournaments.

She's a brilliant player and continues to be, and it's exciting that she's still got a few years left in her.

Simon Davies

BBC Wales

It was very emotional to see Natasha Harding with tears in her eyes there during the national anthems as she wins her 100th cap.

FAW

Nia Jones

Former Wales international on BBC Two Wales

People are probably sick of us saying this but it is a must-win game. Anything less than three points today is catastrophic to Wales' World Cup hopes.

On paper this should be an easy victory for Wales, they're ranked 31st and Kazakhstan 86th, but away from home you never know.

Focus on performance, says Grainger

Wales hammered Kazakhstan in Llanelli in the opening qualifier of his campaign, with Kayleigh Green leading the way with two goals.

Boss Gemma Grainger has told her players another victory will come should they "get the performance right" today.

Read more from Grainger in our match preview here.

FAW

Danny Gabbidon

Former Cardiff and Wales defender on BBC Two

It was a performance to be proud of against France, they're one of the best teams in the world. But I thought we took the game to them, but maybe the attacking third just lost a little bit of composure.

We had France on the ropes for a bit at the end, so there's plenty of positives to take from that game.

The road to the World Cup

Wales have been in second place in Group I for much of this campaign, behind a formidable France side who could book their place at next year's World Cup when they host Slovenia tonight.

The Slovenians sit second after they won 2-0 in Kazakhstan and Wales were beaten at home by the French last Friday.

The good news for Gemma Grainger's team is that their fate is in their hands.

Should they win today and again in Greece in September, Wales may well need only a point from their final qualifier - at home to Slovenia - to seal a play-off place.

Huw Evans Picture Agency

A tough time for Kazakhstan

It has been a long old qualifying campaign for Kazakhstan.

Having been dismantled in Gemma Grainger's first competitive game as Wales boss last September, Kazakhstan lost to Greece twice and were then thumped twice by France, 5-0 at home and 6-0 in Brittany.

Their latest loss, 2-0 against Slovenia in this international window, was one of their better results in this campaign.

The last time Kazakhstan did not lose was in a friendly - which they won 3-0 - against Armenia last summer.

Wales cannot contemplate the idea of that record changing today.

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