Wales clinch Women’s World Cup playoff after draw with Slovenia

Wales’s hopes of reaching the Women’s World Cup and a first major tournament will boil down to a playoff. A goalless draw at home to Slovenia on a record-breaking evening in Cardiff was sufficient to secure their place as runners-up in Group I.

The Wales manager, Gemma Grainger, was here in June when the men’s team booked a place at the World Cup via a playoff final victory over Ukraine and now her side will have a chance to replicate their journey.

Regardless of how things unfolded it was going to be a groundbreaking evening, with Wales playing before a record crowd of more than 12,000, more than double the previous record set against Estonia last October. For comparison, at the start of this campaign they attracted 1,745 in Llanelli. Even the mascots’ enthusiasm would not be dampened despite torrential rain and before kick-off. Natasha Harding, Helen Ward and Angharad James were presented with commemorative caps after reaching a century of appearances for their country. At 28 James is the youngest of the nine Welsh footballers, including Gareth Bale, to reach the landmark.

Goodwill was not in short supply. Ian Rush and Neville Southall sent messages of support and Robert Page, the men’s manager, and Joe Allen, the Wales midfielder, were among those in the stands. Wales initially struggled to stamp their authority and Slovenia had the first sighting of goal, with their captain, Mateja Zver, forcing Laura O’Sullivan into a save after intercepting Rachel Rowe’s cross field pass. Zver looked to the skies on the half-hour after playing a neat one-two with Lara Prasnikar and almost picking out the top corner with a shot from just outside the box.

Scotland concluded the group stage of their World Cup qualifying campaign by