Mark Hughes Watches Daughter Xenna Match His Welsh Caps Tally

Former Wales football international Mark Hughes, now Stoke City manager, has been supporting his daughter Xenna at the EuroHockey Championships in Cardiff this week.

He was there to witness the Wales v Belarus pool match when Xenna equalled his tally of 72 international caps.

“I’m proud of Xenna and her achievements,” said Mark. “She is committed to hockey and has been playing a long time.

“She has matched the number of Wales caps I won, but I still have that little bit extra because I scored more goals.

“Xenna is a natural athlete who loves hockey. It is such a dynamic, all action sport and more people should take the time to come and watch.”

Hughes watched all three of the Welsh pool matches at the Sport Wales National Centre, but will miss their semi-final against Russia on Friday. His Stoke team open their Premier League campaign at Everton.

Wales women and men are both still on course for promotion at EuroHockey 2017.

Belarus ended Wales’ 15-match unbeaten run with a 4-2 victory in the final women’s pool fixture. Both clubs are in the last four.

Russia are the opponents for Wales on Friday, while Belarus take on Italy.

The two semi-final winners will be promoted.

Captain Abi Welsford and Leah Wilkinson became joint Wales hockey cap record holders with 139 caps, overtaking the previous best of 138 set by Wales legend Anne Ellis.

Wales women finished second behind Belarus in Pool B and will face Russia in Friday’s semi-finals.

Gareth Furlong scored twice for Wales men in a 2-2 draw against Russia. The result ensured Wales finished top of pool B in Glasgow.

The men sealed a semi-final spot with an unbeaten group campaign after previous wins against Czech Republic (2-1) and Switzerland (9-0).

Wales now play France on Friday, while Scotland take on Russia.

Both teams who qualify for Saturday’s final will be promoted to Championship One.