by Dan Cope
Date: Friday, 24 November 2017
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium (KO: 19:00)
Wales entertain Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow evening as they look to maintain their lead at the top of Group A in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Wales have started strongly, gaining four points from two games. They go into this match with the momentum, after a hard-fought goalless draw away to Russia.
Manager, Jayne Ludlow, was full of praise for her side calling the draw “a hugely positive result”.
Their form starkly contrasts that of Kazakhstan’s who sit rock bottom of the group with two losses in two games, three goals conceded and no goals scored.
One of those losses came at the hands of Wales in Astana after they were defeated 0-1 by Ludlow’s resilient side. However, the Wales manager will hope her team can come away with a stronger and more convincing result this time around in front of a home crowd in Cardiff.
Wales have a few injury worries in Charlie Estcourt and Peyton Vincze, but still boast a strong squad with a whole host of youngsters who Ludlow will be hoping to introduce to the international stage.
19-year-old Hannah Miles has earned her first call-up to the Welsh set-up after a series of impressive displays for University of South Wales and Yeovil Town. She joins her USW and Yeovil teammates Gemma Evans, 21 and Chloe Lloyd, 20.
The youngsters are supported by the experience of Wales’ in-form all-time record cap holder, Jess Fishlock. They are also bolstered by the return of top goal scorer, Helen Ward. The Watford striker returned to the squad just seven weeks after giving birth to her second child in September.
Ludlow will be hoping this mixture of youth and experience will lead her team to victory and a step closer to FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification in France in 2019.
Tickets are available here: FAW.Cymru/Tickets
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