Going into any qualifying campaign with high expectations can lead to a nervous and frustrating opening game.

Wales Women's clash with Belarus last week was no exception but the road to the 2015 World Cup in Canada got off to the right start. Just.

Chelsea striker Helen Ward capped her 50th international appearance by grabbing the crucial goal at the Cardiff City stadium with just eight minutes to go.

Captain Jess Fishlock revealed the team's relief on the final whistle after passing on chances to wrap up the three points more comfortably.

She told the Morning Star: "We knew it was so important to get off to a winning start - it was what let us down in the last Euro campaign.

"Although it was only 1-0, I felt we were in total control of the game and should have scored more goals.

"I felt we controlled the game through the whole 90 minutes and controlled it well.

"We just couldn't put our chances away and maybe lacked a little bit of quality in the final third.

"We got the win and there was a lot of relief at the end that we were able to do that."

The win over Belarus stands Wales in good stead for clashes with other eastern European Group 6 opponents Montenegro and Ukraine as well as Turkey.

Wales now turn their attention to a tougher test that lies closer to home, in what Fishlock labelled a "good old cup game" against England next month.

After crashing out of this summer's European Championship at the group stage, a result which saw veteran boss Hope Powell sacked, you might think England would be reeling.

But smashing six goals past Belarus and eight past Turkey, with no reply, in their opening two qualifiers has helped the Three Lions turn a new page under temporary coach Brent Hills.

And Fishlock admitted that "it's one of the worst times to play England right now."

She said: "I think they're full of confidence, they're fighting for their places and playing with more of an edge to their game, which they've lacked over the last few years.

"They're the first seeds after all and we have to go out there with the right mentality and a realistic mentality.

But she added: "I think we all firmly believe that if we get the right preparation and play our game, there's no reason we can't take points off seed one, seed two and seed three."

Not only is Fishlock determined to get a result in London, but also to keep leading the national side despite having moved to the US to play for Seattle Reign.

"It was tough coming back during the season in America, the travelling is tough on the body more than anything else," she said.

"But I absolutely love playing for Wales and for me there's no other feeling so I can definitely stomach travelling a little bit."