Grainger happy about Cup fate

WALES manager Gemma Grainger says she is happy her side have their Women’s World Cup fate in their own hands after the 3-0 win in Kazakhstan.

Victories in their final two qualifiers, in Greece on September 2, and at home to Slovenia on September 6, will be enough to guarantee a play-off spot behind Group I leaders France.

Wales remain in third place in the table on goal difference after Slovenia were edged out 1-0 by France.

“We have put ourselves in a position where we control everything and that gives us great confidence,” she said after the comfortable win in Nur-Sultan on Tuesday.

“We have two more games and they are our focus. We are very excited about the games in September.”

Wales had to be patient against a stubborn Kazakh side, spurning several chance before Kayleigh Green gave them the lead midway through the first half.

Natasha Harding, on her landmark 100th Wales appearance, made it 2-0 at the break before Jess Fishlock wrapped things up with a confident finish.

Grainger said Harding scoring while markjing her century of caps was no surprise.

“I couldn’t be more pleased for her,” Grainger said. “It wasn’t surprising that she managed to score a goal.”

Wales’ international window saw record goalscorer Helen Ward win her 100th cap in Wales’ 2-1 defeat to France, with Ward and Harding becoming Wales’ seventh and eighth centurions respectively.

Fishlock, Loren Dykes, Sophie Ingle, Chris Gunter, Gareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey are Wales’ other members of the 100cap club.

Reading captain Harding, 33, scored her 26th Wales goal on a night of high emotions for her.

“It was all over my face, it was the first time I couldn’t finish the anthem or even start it really,” Harding said.

“Playing for Wales means everything to me, it is the pinnacle of what I do and what I work for.”