'Pheebs' Nets Late Welsh Winner To Secure EuroHockey Progress

Poland 0, Wales 1

Phoebe Richardson fired Wales women into the EuroHockey semi-finals with a late winner in Cardiff.

They followed a 6-1 win against Austria in their opening pool game by beating Poland in a tense and nervy match at Sport Wales National Centre.

Both teams knew a place in the last four was within reach and the match was decided when Richardson, from Knighton in Powys, scored the only goal of the game three minutes from the end.

The first half ended 0-0 after a total of three missed penalty corners across the two teams, while goalkeeper Rose Thomas made a couple of outstanding saves after Poland were awarded two penalty corners in quick succession.

The game was decided by a stunning field goal from Richards, known as ‘Pheebs’, securing Wales a place in the semi-finals.

Head coach Kevin Johnson said: “There’s a resilience about this team that will keep them going with the intent to win every game and play them well.”

Wales now play Belarus in their final pool match today (6pm, NSCW, Cardiff) and the winners will finish top of pool B.

The semi-finals are on Friday, August 11 with the final the next day.

Belarus won 5-0 against Austria in their match yesterday.

Wales men, who are playing in Glasgow, have their final pool match today (Wednesday). They have won both of their previous fixtures and now take on Russia (11.45am).

Remaining pool fixtures in Cardiff:

EuroHockey Women’s Championships pool B in Cardiff.

Wednesday, August 9: 3.45pm Austria v Poland; 6pm Wales v Belarus.

Remaining pool fixtures in Glasgow

EuroHockey Men’s Championships pool B in Glasgow.

Wednesday, August 9: 11.45am Russia v Wales, 2pm Switzerland v Czech Republic.