Wales leave it late; but Bellamy run continues.

Wales eventually overcame the resistance of Kazakhstan in Cardiff to start their World Cup campaign off in style and extend their undefeated record under Craig Bellamy to seven games.

Bellamy was denied the services of Aaron Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson for this opening qualifier. Much would rest on the shoulders of Spurs star Brennan Johnson and the flying feet of Dan James of Leeds United.

The handful of enthusiastic visiting fans were heavily outnumbered in a crowd of  32,473. The home supporters gave their team a lusty welcome and, of course, that anthem.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the opening exchanges. Wales looked to engage James at every opportunity.

It was James himself who broke the deadlock after just nine minutes, firing home after a corner he had earned had confused the packed visiting defence. Perhaps an untidy deflection may have helped beat Alexandr Zarutskiy as the shot eluded him.

Joe Rodon put a strong header over the bar as the hosts looked dominant.

James was proving simply unstoppable and brought strong shouts for a penalty as  the visitors struggled to contain him.

David Brooks almost set Sorba Thomas up for a chance to double the Welsh advantage but it came to nothing.

On 28 minutes, a crucial decision from referee Donatas Rumšas  of  Lithuania saw an unlikely opportunity for an equaliser. After some delay, Askhat Tagybergen took an unconvincing spot-kick which trickled apologetically over the line off the feet  of Karl Darlow in the home goal. Connor Roberts of Burnley had been judged to be guilty of handball. The decision initially seemed harsh but TV replays left little room for doubt. A rare competitive goal for the visitors.

James continued to threaten as Bellamy’s men chased a second goal.

A puzzling delay resulted in a yellow card for Maxim Samarodov following inspection of the TV monitor. The free kick which resulted from the infringement saw Brooks shoot over the bar.

At the opposite end, a rare Kazakh attack brought a save from Darlow. The visitors had found some confidence at the end of the first 45 minutes.

Wales gained the advantage immediately after the restart. A dazzling run from Sorba Thomas brought a corner, from which skipper Ben Davies headed a goal from what seemed like inches out.

The home fans were buoyant now, belting out their full repertoire of Hymns & Arias.

Serikzhan Muzhikov, who had shown some neat touches all evening, sent an effort over the Welsh bar. Liam Cullen repeated the feat at the opposite end.

The game was opening up, as the hosts chased a second equaliser. James and Thomas occupied the defence increasingly.

Mark Harris and Jordan James joined the proceedings for Wales. James soon had chance to make a name for himself but rather fluffed his lines in front of goal. The Welsh were on top but it felt a little laboured at times. The ball pinged around the visiting goalmouth as the hosts turned the screw. Shouts for a penalty as Cullen goes over in the box.

Harris was making a nuisance of himself, chasing lost causes and denying the opposition time on the ball. Jordan James probed for an opening.

You felt that a third goal would kill the game off for Wales, but it was hard to see where it might come from. Rabbi Matondo replaced Dan James.

And it was in fact Matondo who made the game safe with his first goal for Wales as extra time beckoned.

Wales had won. At times they impressed. At times they seemed a little overindulgent. 32,000 Welshmen didn’t seem to mind too much.

DAVID COLLINS

WELSH CORRESPONDENT

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