Kazakhstan 0–1 Wales: Bellamy’s side edge past hosts in Astana | OneFootball

Wales clinched a crucial 1-0 win in Astana against Kazakhstan, with Kieffer Moore’s decisive goal sending them top of the group.

The striker’s first-half finish proved the only difference between the two sides as Craig Bellamy’s determined team clawed out a vital away victory.

As it happened

A tricky test awaited Wales in their fifth game of World Cup qualifying Group J. Bellamy’s side faced a gruelling 7,000-mile trip to Astana and the challenge of an artificial pitch against Kazakhstan.

Factors that some feared might lead to an upset were brushed aside before kick-off, with the squad’s resounding message being: “No excuses.”

As expected, Wales took control early on, dominating possession in Kazakhstan’s half until the breakthrough came in the 24th minute.

Moore, playing his 50th game for the national side, pounced on a rebound from Josh Cullen’s effort to slot home the opener. A landmark moment for the striker, who once again underlined his importance to Wales’ World Cup bid.

But while Wales were expected to win comfortably, they were made to work far harder than anticipated. Kazakhstan, ranked 114th in the world by FIFA, slowly grew into the contest and began to test Welsh goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Just after the break, striker Ramazan Orazov Kenzhebek forced a brilliant save from Darlow with a powerful strike, sparking a spell where the hosts sensed momentum shifting in their favour. The Astana crowd roared their team forward as Wales struggled to contain Kazakhstan’s growing attacking threat.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser that would have been a historic result for Kazakh football and a damaging blow to Wales’ qualifying hopes. Soon-to-be Chelsea forward Dastan Satpaev, just 17 years old, caused constant problems for the Welsh defence and drew another strong save from Darlow. Satpaev’s display confirmed his status as one of the brightest prospects in Kazakhstan’s footballing future.

Despite flashes of quality from Harry Wilson and Dan James, Wales failed to reassert control, and Kazakhstan continued to carve out opportunities. The fiery atmosphere at the Astana Arena nearly boiled over into celebration in stoppage time, when Serikzhan Muzhikov’s long-range effort whistled just over the bar.

Wales survived, clinging on for a nervy 1-0 win that lifted them top of the group – but Bellamy’s men know it was a far tougher afternoon than it ever should have been.

Bellamy’s side will now turn their attention to a friendly against Canada on Tuesday, 9 September, while Kazakhstan face a daunting trip to Belgium for their next World Cup qualifier.

The line-ups

WAL: Darlow; Davies, Mepham, Lawlor, Williams; Wilson, Sheehan, Cullen; Johnson, Moore, Thomas