U21 Women do Wales proud at Junior World Cup

While Wales battled with rain and grey skies, our U21 Women were shining bright in sun-soaked Santiago earlier this month, competing in the Junior World Cup. 

Held every four years, the tournament brings together the brightest, young hockey talent across the globe.  

For Wales, heading into the 24-team competition with a world ranking of 20^th, it was a stern test and incredible opportunity to test themselves and show their quality against some of the world’s best sides. 

In the opening game, Amy Cradden scored Wales’ only goal as Belgium ran out 3-1 winners. 

The team ranked 7^th in the world had raced out of the blocks to go 2-0 ahead in the first 20 minutes. Wales, however, did well to fight back and get a footing in the game, and by the end of the third quarter, Cradden has pulled one back.

“We built our way into it the game which was pleasing,” said Head Coach Walid Abdo post-match, “and managed to take Belgium deep into the game, but couldn’t capitalise our chances at the end of the game.” 

And it proved costly, as Belgium’s Alexi van Remortel bagged her second of the match to restore her side’s two-goal cushion with three minutes to go. 

With plenty of positives to take from the 3-1 defeat, though, the squad headed into matchday two to face Zimbabwe who, ranked 17^th in the world, looked like Wales most closely matched tie coming into the tournament.  

Having lost 13-0 to Pool B favourites Argentina in their opening outing, Zimbabwe had a lot to prove but couldn’t overcome the Welsh challenge. 

A strong collective performance, highlighted by Eloise Moat’s Player of the Match award, saw Wales convert consistent pressure and take a deserved lead in the third quarter courtesy of Cradden’s second of the campaign.  

The game was eventually wrapped up in emphatic fashion at the death with two quickfire strikes from Caitlin Witham and Freya Diamond in under a minute. 

“It feels amazing,” Diamond told press after the victory. “When we had our team talk this morning there was a big focus to win this game, get more momentum in the tournament and get ready for Argentina.” 

Ranked second in the world, Argentina would go on to make their quality count as they concluded their group phase with a victory, ensuring they would feature in the knockout rounds where they could gun for gold.  

While it was a defeat in their third and final group game, Wales could hold their heads up incredibly high after securing three points in Pool B. Despite their pre-tournament world ranking of 20^th, the U21 Women had qualified for the 9^th – 16^th play-offs, where they would face another stern test in India. 

Ranked 8^th in the world, India had impressed in the group stage with 4-0 and 13-0 wins over Ireland and Namibia respectively. 

And while the opposition were favourites coming into the tie, Wales left the field frustrated at their 3-1 defeat.  

It was a game littered with great moments for our girls, as they kept the Indians under great pressure in large parts and could even have gone a goal ahead after four minutes were it not for a missed penalty stroke.  

A top ten team for a reason, however, India showed why they’re used to success; by the time Moat had found the back of the net in the fourth quarter, India were already 3-0 up and were on their way to the 9^th – 12^th play-offs. 

Featuring in the 13^th – 16^th play-offs was a fantastic result for Wales, however, and they would meet a South Africa side ranked nine places higher in the world rankings. 

Undeterred, though, the Welsh players took their superior form into the game to come out with a memorable 2-0 win. 

In another show of character, it was a half-time regroup that proved vital after a tight first half. The third quarter brought the breakthrough, with Olivia Forey and Tilly Edwards bagging excellent open play goals within two minutes of each other to run away with the game. 

The victory was also a show of brilliant defensive resolve, which not only held a spirited South African comeback at bay but saw goalkeeper Amy Hughes receive the Player of the Match award, too. 

Although Wales fell to Ireland on the final matchday, a 14^th-place finish proved a brilliant result for the U21s. 

Having come into the tournament ranked 20^th in the world, the squad held their own against some of the top ranked sides in the world, surpassing expectation and providing great optimism for the future of Welsh hockey.  

“We are all so proud,” stated Hoci Cymru CEO, Paul Whapham. 

“To have beaten the Zimbabwe and South Africa while holding their own against the likes of Belgium and India, the girls have done incredibly well at the Junior World Cup. The character, dedication and talent they demonstrated was truly inspiring, and a fantastic showcase of how women’s sport here in Wales is thriving!”