WALES Women are just one win away from a shot at 2018 World Cup qualification after their 2-1 defeat of Kazakhstan in the Hockey World League Round 2 quarter-finals in Kuala Lumpur.

The team, skippered by Usk’s Abi Welsford and featuring fellow Gwent players Danielle Jordan and goalkeeper Rose Thomas, will now face Ireland in Saturday's semi-finals.

Italy play hosts Malaysia in the other last four clash, with the two finalists progressing to the World League Semi-Finals, the qualification for next year’s World Cup in London.

It was a tense affair against the Kazakhs today, as despite putting pressure on their opponents for much of the first half, Wales found themselves level at 1-1 going into the final quarter.

Joanne Westwood gave Wales a 19th-minute lead before Symbat Sabazova equalised.

But it was Welsford’s vice-captain, Leah Wilkinson, who found a way through in the closing minutes.

“We’re obviously delighted to be in the semi-final,” said head coach Kevin Johnson.

“Coming into the tournament, to get to a position to get the maximum world ranking points was absolutely key.

“Kazakhstan didn’t make life easy for us, it was difficult, and on top of that we didn’t make it easy for ourselves.

“A couple of goals early on when we put the pressure on would have made things easier, but Kazakhstan to their credit stuck in there and were always strong on the counter attack.

“It was fantastic that we delivered under pressure in the last quarter with a very coolly taken penalty corner goal.

“Anything can happen in a semi-final. We wanted to give ourselves the chance to have a shot at World League Round 3 (Semi-Finals) and now we’ve got that shot, so as a group we’re really pleased and, as always, looking forward to the next challenge.”

Booking their place in the semi-final has also boosted Wales’ chances of qualifying for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games by securing them valuable world ranking points.

This is the furthest Wales have ever gone in the World League but the higher-ranked Irish will present a firm challenge on Saturday.

However, in Italy and Poland, Wales have beaten nations ranked above them in the past year.

Wilkinson, the match-winner against Kazakhstan, said: “We’re making history and getting to this point is a great achievement for us.”