by Our Sports Desk

Wales at a football World Cup is a prospect that has been tantalisingly out of reach for decades but could soon be realised.

The women’s national team, known as the Dragonesses, face England in a penultimate group-stage game in Cardiff tonight, looking to solidify their second place in qualifying Group Six.

Even if Wales were to lose, they have a trip to face Ukraine on September 17 from which a victory should secure a place in the play-offs as a leading group runner-up.

The Welsh men last reached a World Cup in 1958 and the women have never made it to the biggest stage.

Wales women’s Finnish manager Jarmo Matikainen will go head to head with a Welshman at the Cardiff City Stadium, as England are now led by former Swansea centre of excellence coach Mark Sampson.

Matikainen said: “England are one of the best sides in the world and we respect that but we are doing well and our fate is still in our own hands.

“England will probably win the group, as they only need a point from these last two games, and their final game is against Montenegro who have yet to gain a point.

“Whatever happens against England, the final game against the Ukraine will be decisive. Second spot in our group should be good enough for a place in the autumn play-offs.”

Sampson would love Wales to join England at the finals in Canada next year.

The 31-year-old England boss said: “For me it would be fantastic. If Wales and Scotland, who are also still in contention, could qualify and we could get three home nations at a major tournament it would be a wonderful thing for the women’s game.

“From my end I want an England win on Thursday night and then we’ll be supporting Wales to try to get their win in Ukraine to give themselves the best chance of getting in that play-off and hopefully joining us in the tournament.”