Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson believes her side have the quality to qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Her confidence follows a commanding 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic, which secured Wales top spot in Group B1.
The result means Wales will take a more favourable route through the play-offs, with the draw scheduled for 18 June.
Despite the positive outcome, Wales must still navigate two two-legged ties against European opponents before securing a place at the tournament.
One of those ties is likely to be against a League A side, and Wales may also face an inter-confederation play-off if they progress far enough.
Wilkinson was characteristically direct when asked whether her squad can reach Brazil, saying: “On our day, why not? I have to think that. Why else would we be doing this?”
The head coach also praised the quality within her ranks, adding: “We’ve got some fabulous players who any country would be proud to have on the field.”
Wales fell behind after just five minutes against the Czechs but produced a resilient and composed response to claim victory in impressive fashion.
Lily Woodham equalised quickly, before Gemma Evans headed Wales in front early in the second half, with Mared Griffiths sealing the three points late on.
Wilkinson said she had challenged her players to raise their performance at home, saying: “When you’re together, when you defend together, when you attack together, when you create these triangles and the plus ones, football is fun.”
The play-off semi-finals are scheduled for October, with the finals taking place in late November and early December.
As group winners, Wales will face a runner-up or third-placed side from another League B group, with the advantage of hosting the second leg.
A potential play-off final would likely pit Wales against a League A opponent, with that second leg away from home.
Wilkinson said her players can now enjoy four months away from international football “with a real confidence that we’ve controlled our destiny as much we possibly can going into the first play-offs.”
She reflected proudly on the campaign, saying: “The ambition, and I was pretty open about it, was to win the group and to go undefeated, and that is what we did.”
