Wales in Vienna - postscript

It was one game too far on Saturday as Wales went down 9-0 to Scotland in the final of the Junior Euro Trophy in Vienna. After the emotion and heroics of the previous day, Wales could not sustain an excellent first 20 minutes as Scotland showed their class to score 6 goals in the second half to add to their 3 quick goals between 20 and 35 minutes in the first.

However, Wales picked up a silver medal and Adam Williams was awarded goalkeeper of the tournament in the closing ceremony and nothing can take away from the achievement of this group of players in winning promotion to the Championship 1 division in 2012. There was guts, desire and skill backed up by tactics provided by the excellent coaching team led by Phil Gooderham. Players knew what they were expected to do and, crucially, acted on this advice each game which led to the come back victory against Austria. The leadership on the pitch was provided by Nick Rees who as captain led by example while the senior internationals in Carless, Dolan-Gray, Prosser and Lloyd-Penny provided excellent support to the younger players. Other players to shine were Max Stern who literally ran until he dropped while Gareth Furlong was not fazed by any situation or opponent. Adam Williams in goal fought off the strong challenge of last year's U18 keeper Andy Hughes to make the number 1 shirt his own with a string of fine performances. However, all the squad contributed even those who did not play every game who willingly performed the 17th/18th man duties.

The scenes on Friday at sometime close to 4.30pm when the final whistle went will live long in everyone's memories and now it is up to the WHU to ensure that the players are properly prepared for 2012 as part of the ongoing development of the national teams. Higher profile national teams will lead to a greater media awareness and hopefully more people getting involved with hockey.

Wales 2 - Austria 1

Nils Lloyd-Penny was the hero as Wales gained promotion to the A division for the first time at this level with a come from behind victory against hosts Austria. Wales trailed at half time despite dominating possession from one of the Austrians only threatening attacks. All players were focused and determined to succeed where other teams had failed and Wales started the game with purpose, moving the ball well across the park. It was a surprise then when Austria nipped in and scored a neat goal against the run of play. Despite this setback and forcing a number of clear chances, Wales did not lose heart and continued to press as the half progressed. Wales also suffered a yellow card against Tim Fuller on the stroke of half time and had to start the second half with ten men.

Wales comfortably held the Austrians while reduced to ten men and with ten minutes gone, Wales were level following their first penalty corner of the second half, Ben Carless powering home a loose ball following the initial flick. It was all Wales now as wave upon wave of attacks rained on the Austrians and it only seemed a matter of time before Wales capitalised on their possession and took the lead. However, Austria regained some composure and caused some nervy moments but the Welsh defence led by Bond and Trem held firm and as the game entered the final 10 minutes, the game flowed from end to end. Another Welsh penalty corner saw the ball squirt to Lloyd-Penny who drilled the ball into the goal from 5 yards out prompting huge celebrations on the Welsh bench and among their loyal supporters. A tense final few moments ensued as Austria pressed and Wales were reduced to ten again as Owain Dolan-GRay was punished for a dangerous tackle. However, as the ball soared over the benches following a Mike Shaw clearance, the hooter sounded and Wales celebrated joyously their victory.

THis was Wales's best performance of the tournament as they held onto possession well, created good chances that on another day would have seen the team win comfortably and above all, showed the fight that characterises this set of players. This was also a win that made up for past failures in semi finals from U16, U18 and, for some, senior level. It was fitting then that Lloyd-Penny scored the winning goal. Wales now face Scotland in the gold medal match tomorrow. More importantly, the result sees Wales promoted to the A division for 2012 where they will face Spain, Germany, Holland and their fiercest rivals, England.

Cymru am byth!

View from the bench by Ben Carless (Italy)

Wales v Italy - a players' report





THe following is a report by Ben Carless, edited for fear of offending innocents...



"The Welsh strode out against the Italians knowing that only a win would satisfy the large contingent of passionate Welsh supporters in the crowd. THe early exchanges were tight with some burrowing runs from the menacing Welsh forward line. The defence held tight with rock solid tackles from the talismanic duo of Bond and Trem while the Italians were running into a wall of passion and determination all over the pitch. A dazzling run from Carless (ed says: ???? dazzling?) and an audacious through ball from Rees gave Dolan-Gray a one v one opportunity with the Italian keeper. The energetic ODG slotted the ball past the trailing foot of the keeper for Bury to slot home from an inch.

Some wise words from TYler and Gooderham at half time ensured the Welsh wizards were switched on for the second half. A couple of tense exchanges led to some superb agile saves from Williams in goal with jedi-like reactions on more than one occasion. Wales earned a penalty corner from a brave Lloyd_Penny run on the left who battled illness to be part of the game. Furlong stepped up and fired the ball home and saluted the hordes of Welsh supporters.

With the pressure building, some excellent defending from the cohort of Welsh warriors left the Italians frustrated and their penalty corners smothered by brave challenges from the Welsh defence. In the 55th minute, a Welsh counter attack led to captain Rees calmly walking the ball into the net. Further Italian advances were nullified by the work ethic of the Welsh team, leading to the historic 3-0 win in the Austrian capital.

After the match, excitable team manager, Jon Upton was keen to congratulate the players. "They were ace" he said.

(Edited for spelling, grammar and impudence by J.Upton. Ben is at Bath University despite his photo)

Wales 3 Italy 0

Wales stormed into a promotion semi final against hosts Austria with a composed and disciplined performance against Italy on Wednesday. While the game stats show that Wales only entered the D 10 times to Italy's 20, Wales made better use of possession and, crucially, demonstrated the passion to succeed with a number of players playing despite stomach upsets.

Wales started the game slowly, unlike previous games, and too their time to get into the game. The Italians had a lot of possession but despite a number of penalty corners failed to capitalise while Wales's defence held firm while the Welsh forwards were busy, threatening the Italian back line. As the first half progressed, it was nip and tuck all the way with both defences neutralising attacks but right at the end of the half, the energetic Dolan-Gray threaded a through ball past the advancing keeper for the diminutive Dafydd Bury to make sure with a tap in with seconds to go before half time.

Wales opened the second half the stronger and acted on the words of coach Phil Gooderham to remain composed and focused. Wales forced a penalty corner on 40 minutes through a run from the ill Lloyd-Penny that forced him off the pitch for the rest of the game. From the PC, Gareth Furlong powered an unstoppable flick past the Italian defence to make the score 2-0 and ease Welsh nerves. Wales continued to hold firm and a number of fine saves from Adam Williams at penalty corners alongside effective defence paid dividends when a fine move involving Prosser, Mugridge and Dolan-GRay saw the ball squared to Rees for the skipper to tap the ball into the unguarded net. At 3-0 with 15 minutes to go, Wales continued to use their bench wisely and defended with aplomb. With three minutes to go, Gowman was yellow carded for not retreating but Wales killed time through conceding a number of penalty corners. The hooter sounded and Wales celebrated a victory that gives them the chance to be promoted into the A division on Friday.

Wales are getting better all the time and developing a robust yet intelligent style of play. Wednesday's game saw the senior players show their class with Prosser, Rees and Dolan Gray all prominent. At the back, Bond and Trem were resolute while Carless had his most effective game of the tournament so far. Effective preparation was key to this success and this will be the key for the game against Austria on Friday. However, Wales still need to retain the ball better and ensure that opponents do not easily penetrate its D.

Wales-Cymru 4 Azerbaijan 0

Wales kept themselves in contention for a promotion play off spot with a solid performance against Azerbaijan and now need to focus minds on beating Italy on Wednesday. Wales started with a bang again with skipper Nick Rees forcing a point blank save from the Azeri keeper within the first 30 seconds and set the tone for the match. Wales dominated possession but despite a number of clear chances, failed to score while at the other end Andy Hughes in the Welsh goal made a double save to keep the score at nil nil. As the half wore on, Wales continued to dominate possession but a combination of saves, uneven bounces and poor final balls meant that a frustrated Wales went in at half time level.

Wales continued in the same vein in the second stanza with Rees, Prosser and Gowman all going close only to be denied by last ditch defending or some point blank saves from the keeper. Penalty corners had proved troublesome in the first half but it was from a set piece that Wales opened the scoring: Mike Shaw powering an unstoppable drag flick into the top of the Azeri net in the 40th minute. Within two minutes, the scoreline had doubled with Rhys Gowman drilling a ball past a despairing Azeri keeper. Wales were now full of confidence and began to play some nice hockey as their opponents tired and resorted to theatrics to give their team a breather from Wales' power play. Wales forced more penalty corners and with Shaw off the pitch for a spell, veteran U21 Ben Carless powered a low drag flick into the goal to make the score 3-0 on 53 minutes.

Wales continued to press hard and over-powered the lightweight Azeris while the Welsh full backs snuffed out any breaks made by their opponents. Wales made the score 4-0 when Shaw's replacement, Gareth Furlong, produced an identical drag flick to Shaw on 63 minutes. More chances followed but went unconverted to leave Wales with only four goals to show for their dominance.

THis was a much needed win for the Welsh team and showed that when focused, they can produce some good hockey. However, while a team can only beat the opposition put in front of it, they will reflect still on too many turnovers conceded and that the ball still needs to be respected more in their crunch game with the Italians on Wednesday.

Wales 1 Scotland 4

Wales 1 Scotland 4

Wales went down to a well drilled and organised Scotland side today in the opening match of the 2010 Junior Nations European championships in Vienna. Wales started with a bang with captain Nick Rees finishing off a smash and grab raid in the second minute following good work by midfielders Rob Mugridge and Nils Lloyd-Penny. Wales were on top of their game at this point and Scotland looked rattled but as the half wore on, Scotland dominated possession as Wales failed to keep hold of the ball and in the 19th minute following a loose pass in Scotland's final third saw John Harris run 40 metres to score a reverse stick shot past Adam Williams in the Wales goal. Williams made some fine saves in goal to keep the score at 1-1 at half time.

The second half saw Scotland increase the pressure on Wales and dominated possession for long periods. When Wales did get the ball, Scotland pressed hard and forced turnovers a plenty but resolute defending and team spirit kept the game even until the 55th minute when Scotland scored a penalty corner that was dispatched by Josh Cairns into the top right hand corner of the goal. Wales went further behind three minutes later as Scotland scored following another turnover by Wales as the ball was squared across the goal for John Harris to score his second goal. Wales kept pressing hard but despite a number of penalty corners failed to reduce the deficit and Scotland scored 4 when Alan Forsyth converted a penalty flick following a late penalty corner offence by Wales.

Plenty of spirit was shown by Wales but ultimately Scotland were the more composed side and showed the benefit of their extensive pre-tournament programme. Wales now face minnows Azerbaijan tomorrow to keep their hopes of a promotion spot alive.