Day two of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 introduced one other spherical of enthralling motion as groups edged nearer to the semi-finals. South Africa got here from behind to safe a vital 3-1 win over Malaysia, Wales bought their first win on the board with a composed 2-0 victory towards Czechia, France booked their semi-final ticket with a medical 4-0 overcome Italy, whereas hosts Poland and Uruguay couldn’t be separated in a gritty 1-1 draw.
Wales 2-0 Czech Republic
Wales earned a hard-fought first win of the event, following a gap day draw, with a stable 2-0 victory towards a brave Czechia. The end result offers them a beautiful alternative to progress to the semi-final stage of the competitors.
Wales survived a fast begin from Czechia, which included two early penalty corners, to take care of parity. They slowly asserted their supremacy earlier than scoring the one objective of the primary half, as Elizabeth Bingham reacted first to a penalty nook save and slammed residence the rebound.
In a second half finest described as cool and managed by the Welsh, Czechia gave every little thing they’d however had been unable to forge high-quality probabilities. As they pushed ahead, Wales capitalised on a lucky deflection—Beth Friends fired a shot that was saved by Anna Linkova, just for the rebound to deflect off a defender and into the online.
Participant of the Match Sarah Jones (WAL) shared her ideas on the win: “I believe we learnt from yesterday, going forward and managing the sport successfully. To see our younger facet present such maturity is great for Welsh Hockey, and it was nice to get the three factors.”
France 4-0 Italy
France delivered one other sterling show, securing a second clear sheet and consecutive victory. The 4-0 end result confirmed their place within the semi-finals, whereas Italy’s probabilities of progressing now hinge on different outcomes going their means.
It took France simply six minutes to open the scoring by way of a penalty nook from Mathilde Duffrene—a carbon copy of her opening day strike into the nook of the objective. Regardless of France creating the higher probabilities, a good contest noticed them unable to increase the lead earlier than halftime, which ended 1-0.
They continued to dominate within the second half and had been rewarded when Ines Lardeur pounced on a unfastened ball and fired residence. With Italy’s defence disorganised, Pauline Varoqui was left unmarked to faucet within the third. Varoqui would then add a fourth, her cross deflecting off a defender to seal a commanding win.
Ines Lardeur expressed her delight with the attacking show: “We now have quite a lot of confidence and belief our course of. We’re very proud of our effectivity in assault. We’ll use the remainder day to look at video and focus totally on Wales earlier than the semi-final.”
Malaysia 1-3 South Africa
South Africa ignited their FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 marketing campaign with a resilient come-from-behind 3-1 win over Malaysia, regardless of lacking two penalty strokes. The three factors breathe life into their marketing campaign forward of a vital last group stage match towards hosts Poland.
After Nur Zainal saved a penalty stroke from Quanita Bobbs, Malaysia capitalised with a fantastically labored staff objective completed by Dayang Abang. Regardless of creating a number of probabilities, South Africa discovered themselves trailing on the halftime break.
The Africans returned rejuvenated within the second half and equalised when Bobbs despatched Ntsopa Mokoena by means of, and the younger striker fired low and laborious to stage. Simply minutes later, Onthathile Zulu struck the identical spot on the backboard to provide South Africa the lead.
A 3rd objective got here by means of a penalty nook as Hannah Pearce fired by means of a crowd into the underside nook. Nur Zainal would later deny Tegan Fourie from the spot, however South Africa had achieved sufficient.
South African stalwart Quanita Bobbs praised her staff’s resilience: “We began the primary half in a way we didn’t need. We went again to fundamentals within the second half and created probabilities. We performed some nice hockey in that second half.”
Uruguay 1-1 Poland
Uruguay had the higher of the primary half, however hosts Poland fought again to earn a 1-1 draw and maintain each groups in robust competition for the semi-finals.
Decided to construct on their opening efficiency, Uruguay got here out firing and gained a few early penalty corners. They made the stress rely when Kaisuami Dall’Orso reacted quickest to a unfastened ball from the left and slotted residence the opener.
Regardless of their dominance, Uruguay couldn’t add to the tally earlier than the break, and the primary half ended 1-0 to the South Individuals in a compelling contest.
Poland got here out with renewed power within the second half and had been awarded a penalty stroke after a goalmouth scramble—however Marlena Rybacha fired extensive. They ultimately equalised within the last quarter as Oliwia Krychniak tapped in after a unbelievable run by Julia Balcerzak.
Marta Kucharska, Participant of the Match for Poland, mirrored on the end result: “Uruguay had been significantly better than us within the first half. I’m very proud of how we fought again within the second. I believe we could have been unfortunate to not win. It’s nice to play a event like this at residence.”
To see the present standings within the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, click on right here.
FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 – 17 June 2025
Struggle, Poland (POL)
End result: Match 1
Wales 2-0 Czech Republic
Participant of the match: Sarah Jones (WAL)
Umpires: Sarah Craig (IRL), Rob Argent (IRL)
End result: Match 2
France 4-0 Italy
Participant of the match: Ines Lardeur (FRA)
Umpires: Jamie Telfer (SCO),Teresa Lipsky (GER)
End result: Match 3
Malaysia 1-3 South Africa
Participant of the match: Quanita Bobbs (RSA)
Umpires: Meghan Mclennan (Can), Yogita Pasi (IND)
End result: Match 4
Poland 1-1 Uruguay
Participant of the match: Marta Kucharska (POL)
Umperes: Ana Ortega (ESP), Share Meyers (ZIM)
Supply: FIH.hockey
