Ireland have beaten Kazakhstan 8-0 in the first leg of their FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final in Astana this afternoon.
First-half goals from Chloe Mustaki, Emily Murphy, Abbie Larkin and two from Kyra Carusa had the away side 5-0 up at the interval after the Kazakhs had also been reduced to 10 players.
After the introduction of Donegal’s Amber Barrett and Tyler Toland at the break, further goals from Jamie Finn, debutant Shanade Hopcroft and Jessie Stapleton put the icing on the cake in a ruthless Irish performance.
Anna Patten, who has family ties in Falcarragh, started in defence and played 70 minutes for Carla Ward’s team.
The return leg is next Tuesday evening in Cork and the winners will face either Belgium or Poland in a bid to reach next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
