Wales didn’t so much as glide through this game, they took charge almost immediately but still had a few concerning moments. Head coach, Craig Bellamy will have plenty to say when in possession, however the win was an excellent start to this World Cup campaign. It all goes to North Macedonia on Tuesday night for an away fixture at the Todor Proeski National Arena in Skopje.

It was a slow but comfortable start for Wales in their first World Cup Qualifier with a few mistakes, but the energy of Dan James settled the nerves on nine minutes. Fighting to regain possession, Liam Cullen worked hard and it looked like he got the assist as Dan James hit a firm shot which deflected into the Kazakhstan net. The keeper, Zarutskiy rooted to the spot.

It was just the start Wales needed as they then pressed on for more goals.

A couple of very good opportunities were made by Wales, at times let down by poor passing and in others just a reluctance to make or even see that key pass. Then what looked like a bizarre decision when the ball hit Connor Roberts left arm in the penalty area was adjudged a penalty by referee, Donatas Rumsas. His namesake on VAR took two minutes to decide it was indeed a penalty. It was a poor penalty, Darlow in the Wales goal got a foot to it as it agonisingly rolled over the line. Askhat Tagybergen rolled away, thumb sucking and ball under his shirt, it was a very original celebration.

The stoppages continued after a very nasty foul on Roberts, another two minutes whilst VAR checked for a red card. The decision, a yellow. The free kick went wide from David Brookes. No Harry Wilson tonight sadly. With Bellamy’s frustration evident on the touchline, the fourth official announced four minutes of additional time, it should have been more overall. Wales were the better side, and they were looking the more likely to get a second goal but that word frustration was also creeping into the game on the pitch. A chance from range for Kazakhstan as added time ticked by was fielded well by Darlow.

There was a pretty decent shout for a penalty after Dan James was seemingly chopped and fouled by two defenders, that went unpunished. So, it was another forty five minutes ahead and hope that Wales would get the win.

Whatever Craig Bellamy said at half time it immediately came up trumps for his side. A Zorba Thomas corner out on the Wales left was fizzed in deep, it was met by the head of Ben Davies to put the home side 2-1 up. It was a terrific header that was to lead to more excitement with Kazakhstan pinned back in their own half. It was patient build up and measured passing that kept the team in red in total command of the game. You now had the feeling one more Wales goal would settle this once and for all.

Josh Sheehan and Cullen were calm and effective, the latter in a deeper midfield role. Zorba was chasing and hassling The visitors did breakaway on fifty six minutes but their shot at goal was very poor. A minute later we saw Brooks set up Cullen but his right footed shot went wide. A heart in the mouth moment followed when Neco Williams put in a perfect tackle in his own area to prevent a golden opportunity for Kazakhstan. The game had opened up incredibly with tit for tat attacks. Another shot was well saved by Darlow.

We were on sixty minutes played.

Chesnokov who feigned a number of injuries in the first half put in an incredibly poor challenge on Neco which earned him a yellow card. Then Wales made some changes. Brennan Johnson had been very quiet in this game. Mark Harris came on for him. Then Jordan James for David Brooks. More energy was definitely required to spark the Wales attack. Jordan James and Mark Harris had an immediate impact. James shooting and Harris trying to knock in the rebound. This after a clever dummy by Cullen. He was having a good game, full of confidence and ideas.

A free kick to Wales was awarded on sixty six minutes.

A dummy again over the ball from Cullen and Neco shot firmly causing the Kazakhstan keeper to save extremely well. Then a Sheehan shot which deflected for a corner led to an air kick by Jordan James. The pressure was definitely on now. On seventy minutes Cullen was brought down in the area as he prepared to shoot, no response from the referee. This was an exceptionally good performance as Roberts provided a chance for Cullen who flicked his shot goal wards. In hindsight this was always going to be a Wales win, and the strategy which Bellamy spoke of post match was very evident.

The threat was still there from Kazakhstan, they were still in the game. When chasing down the Kazakhstan keeper, Mark Harris took a hard clearance into his fruit and veg basket, I must say we winced. The issues remained on the final ball for Wales, despite clever inter passing at times that final moment was lacking. Then Cullen was put in with an eye on goal, he took the ball well but his pass to Harris didn’t reach its destination. Wales were now giving away possession which the visitors gratefully received. Both sides were presenting each other with opportunities to have possession of the ball.

As we entered the last ten minutes of the game, Mark Harris continued his role of closing down the keeper and Wales were very much in control again. Despite that Dan James was running into players and on eighty two minutes the home side gave the ball away leading to a headed effort but Darlow received the attempt comfortably. That was a warning sign that this game wasn’t over yet. Wales were controlling the ball but little mistakes were giving Kazakhstan hope. Wales now looked out on their feet. Dan James could have gone down in the area beating his marker for speed but he remained on his feet. A minute later Dan was substituted for Rabbi Matondo.

Wales persistence was rewarded in added time when a diagonal pass from Jordan James to Zorba was met with a lovely cross and substitute Matondo slotted the ball away, now the game was over. The whistle went a minute later, Bellamy was delighted and Wales had started the group campaign off with a fine win. If there is to be some cause for slight concern then retention of the ball was an issue now and then. From looking cool and in control one minute to giving the ball away the next. Kazakhstan didn’t take those opportunities at all, but other sides most certainly will.

No complaints at all as a very large red wall support head to Macedonia for Tuesday, and the last game in this international break.

⚽️ Wales: Darlow 6 Roberts 7 Rodon 6 B.Davies (c) 7 N.Williams 7 Sheehan 6 Thomas; D.James 7 (Matondo 86), Brooks 6 (J.James 62) 6 Johnson 5 (Harris 62) 6 Cullen 7

Subs: Ward, Davies, Mepham, Cabango, Allen, Lawrence, Moore, Dasilva, Broadhead

⚽️ Kazakhstan: Zarutskiy, Tapalov, Bystrov, Marochkin, Alip, Vorogovskiy; Chesnokov (Kanzhebek 86), Tagybergen, Muzhikov (Zhukov 62), Samorodov (Aimbetov 75); Zhaksylykov (Satpayev 75)

Subs: Pokatilov, Seisen, Astanov, Zhumakhanov, Zhaksybayev, Zhagorov, Orazov, Mukhamed

⚽️ Post Match
Craig Bellamy : Positive result. I knew it would be a difficult game, they never came out of the block, they were quite athletic, we moved our shape, we wanted control. If we keep moving the ball, hopefully they tire and we can pick them off and stay patient. I’ve known Rabbi since he was very young. It’s been so good having him in the group, he’s such a character, and he’s so funny. You can’t help but love him, everyone was happy. Tuesday is going to be a difficult game, we’ll have a different profile and energy for that one.”

⚽️ Dan James : “We spoke all week about getting off to a good start and that’s what we did, delighted. it’s always nice to get on the scoresheet, unfortunate with the pen, we stuck in there, we scored a great set piece, in international football, set pieces are so important. We’ve been practising and it paid off, a great win, so important to get this win. It’s on to Tuesday now, delighted for Rabbi, he’s a great lad, we have a lot of positives after tonight”

⚽️ Ben Davies : “We realised the importance of starting the second half quickly. The longer it stays 1-1 it would be tense. It was an important one for the team, they are a proud nation who wanted to win the game just like us. They made it really difficult, the second half was much more disciplined. We got the job done, the players were the most angry. Craig Bellamy, Mr Calm, came in with a plan, clear with the messaging, we’re off to a good start.”

Photgraphs Reuters, stats The Guardian ©️ Swansea Independent