Leah Wilkinson Says Wales Frustrated After Narrow Defeat To Malaysia

Leah Wilkinson said Wales were left frustrated after a narrow 1-0 defeat by Malaysia in their final women’s hockey pool game on Wednesday.

A second period goal was enough to give the Malaysians victory though Wales had chances to at least level the match.

The defeat left them bottom of the pool having opened with that stunning defeat of India who have not lost since, beating England.

Wales also lost to England and South Africa and will now have a 9/10th placing game at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre on Thursday.

Skipper Wilkinson said: “It was frustrating, the game was there to be won and their goal took the wind out of our sails.

“There was a lot of pressure on us and we should have got more out of that game

“Our 3-2win over India was played the Welsh way. We tried to emulate that during subsequent games.”

Wales have previously finished ninth in Kuala Lumpur 1998 and the 2016 Games in Glasgow with eighth in Delhi in 2010 their best finish.

But Sarah Jones reckons the tournament has brought vital experience ahead of next year’s Europeans.

The Cardiff-born midfielder, 27, said: “We came into the Games wanting to learn and develop as a team towards Euro 2019. 

“Our targets weren’t results orientated but more performance based.”

“I think we were the better side today. They played a very clever game, sat back and counter-attacked us once they got the lead.

“It was close in the level of skill today and that was reflected by the scoreline.

“We do the best we can, the girls are so dedicated and we even fund some of the programmes ourselves.

“As a team we spend hours and hours before and after work training.

“Tournaments like this, performing against the best in the world, is so beneficial for us and improves our level of understanding of the game.”