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 an important 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 scientific 4-0 conquer Italy, whereas hosts Poland and Uruguay couldn’t be separated in a gritty 1-1 draw.
Wales 2-0 Czechia
Wales earned a hard-fought first win of the match, following a gap day draw, with a stable 2-0 victory towards a brave Czechia. The consequence provides them an exquisite 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 keep up 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 greatest described as cool and managed by the Welsh, Czechia gave all the things they’d however had been unable to forge high-quality possibilities. 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 web.
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 aspect 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 consequence confirmed their place within the semi-finals, whereas Italy’s possibilities of progressing now hinge on different outcomes going their approach.
It took France simply six minutes to open the scoring through 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 possibilities, 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 free 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’ve a variety of confidence and belief our course of. We’re very pleased with our effectivity in assault. We’ll use the remaining day to observe 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 an important ultimate group stage match towards hosts Poland.
After Nur Zainal saved a penalty stroke from Quanita Bobbs, Malaysia capitalised with a superbly labored group objective completed by Dayang Abang. Regardless of creating a number of possibilities, 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 way of, and the younger striker fired low and onerous to stage. Simply minutes later, Onthathile Zulu struck the identical spot on the backboard to present South Africa the lead.
A 3rd objective got here by way of a penalty nook as Hannah Pearce fired by way of a crowd into the underside nook. Nur Zainal would later deny Tegan Fourie from the spot, however South Africa had finished sufficient.
South African stalwart Quanita Bobbs praised her group’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 possibilities. 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 hold 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 free 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 vitality within the second half and had been awarded a penalty stroke after a goalmouth scramble—however Marlena Rybacha fired vast. They finally equalised within the ultimate quarter as Oliwia Krychniak tapped in after a improbable run by Julia Balcerzak.
Marta Kucharska, Participant of the Match for Poland, mirrored on the consequence: “Uruguay had been significantly better than us within the first half. I’m very pleased with how we fought again within the second. I believe we could have been unfortunate to not win. It’s nice to play a match 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
Walcz, Poland (POL)
Consequence: Match 1Wales 2-0 CzechiaPlayer of the match: Sarah Jones (WAL)Umpires: Sarah Craig (IRL), Rob Argent (IRL)
Consequence: Match 2France 4-0 ItalyPlayer of the match: Ines Lardeur (FRA)Umpires: Jamie Telfer (SCO),Teresa Lipsky (GER)
Consequence: Match 3Malaysia 1-3 South AfricaPlayer of the match: Quanita Bobbs (RSA)Umpires: Meghan McLennan(CAN), Yogita Pasi (IND)
Consequence: Match 4Poland 1-1 UruguayPlayer of the match: Marta Kucharska (POL)Umpires: Ana Ortega (ESP), Sharne Meyers (ZIM)
Supply: FIH.hockey
