Depth on show as Irish all but assure play-off final

Republic of Ireland thrashed 10-player Kazakhstan 8-0 in their Women's World Cup play-off semi-final first leg without three of their best players.

Captain Katie McCabe and influential midfielder Marissa Sheva were suspended, while their most-capped player Denise O'Sullivan was rested for the long journey to Astana as the game was played on an artificial pitch.

All three were crucial components in Republic of Ireland's impressive League A campaign, but those that came in for them on Friday impressed, albeit against a side ranked 77 places below the Irish in the Fifa rankings.

Still, a potential banana skin of a first leg was avoided with ease and Abbie Larkin, Jamie Finn and Jessie Stapleton, who were the three drafted in, all got on the scoresheet.

Whether they have done enough to retain their places for Tuesday's second leg, which is essentially a dead rubber with progress to the play-off final against Poland or Belgium all but assured, is another question, but it is a welcome selection dilemma for boss Carla Ward to have.

"One thing about Katie, Denise and Marissa is they'll be delighted for the team," she told RTE.

"Everyone wants the team to win and that's most important."

Larkin was a constant threat and linked up well in a fluid front three with the reliable Emily Murphy and Kyra Carusa, who were also on target in the big win, including two goals for the latter.

Finn's goal was her first for her country and she showed her tenacity in midfield alongside Megan Connolly in her first start under Ward.

Stapleton came into the back three alongside Anna Patten and Caitlin Hayes and had little defending to do, but did well with her looping header over Angelina Portnova for a late eighth goal in injury-time.

There was also a debut goal for substitute Shanade Hopcroft, who Ward said is a "great addition" to the squad with the Crystal Palace midfielder boosting their midfield options.

Ward had spoken in the build-up to the game about avoiding complacency and the Irish were professional in their ruthless display, with those introduced in the second half keeping the tempo up as they were keen to stake a claim for further involvement on the road to Brazil and back-to-back World Cup appearances.

"Ever since I came in I wanted us to be front-footed. We wanted to play with a bit of personality in the final third and I think we've continued to do that," Ward added.

"It's not easy to turn performances in but we've shown we're a good side and good sides win in different ways, which we've done tonight."

Ominously for Kazakhstan, who must pick themselves up and go again for Tuesday's second leg in Cork, is that Republic of Ireland have won all three games they have played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

They will also be without captain Yulia Myasnikova for the return fixture after her red card in the first half after a VAR check, but Ward wants no let-up from her team in the second leg.

"We have to get ready and go put the same performance in on Tuesday."