Wales Just Edged Out By Hosts Spain And Now Face Belarus Battle For Fifth

Wales Women 0 Spain 1

Wales Women put up a brave fight but narrowly lost to Spain in the FIH Series finals in Valencia.

Coach Kevin Johnson’s side went into the crossover match for a place in the semi-finals ranked 27 in the world – 20 places below the Spaniards.

But only Lucia Jimenez’s goal separated the sides at the end.

Wales will now face Belarus on Tuesday in the 5th/6th place decider.

Jimenez netted after nine minutes when her effort struck Rose Thomas and looped over the Wales keeper into the net.

Thomas made several fine saves to keep Wales in the game but they could not fashion an equaliser.

Wales finished third in their Pool B after drawing with South Africa 2-2, thrashing Thailand 5-0 before losing to Italy 4-1.

Belarus, another side ranked higher in the world at 20, lost by the same scoreline to Italy on Monday.

Wales squad: Beth Bingham (Holcombe Hockey Club), Caro Hulme (Beeston Hockey Club), 
Danni Jordan (Royal Leopold Club), Ella Jackson (GK) (Buckingham Hockey Club), Eloise Laity (Buckingham), Emily Rowlands (Hampstead and Westminster), Hannah Cozens (Loughborough Students Hockey Club), 
Izzie Howell (Durham University), Izzy Webb (Swansea Hockey Club) 
Jo Westwood (Holcombe), Julie Whiting (Bowdon Hockey Club),
 Leah Wilkinson (c) (Holcombe), Natasha Marke-Jones (Clifton Robinsons Hockey Club), Phoebe Richards (Buckingham),
Rose Thomas (GK) (Holcombe), Sian French (vc) (Bowdon), Sophie Robinson (Beeston), 
Xenna Hughes (East Grinstead Hockey Club).
*Sarah Jones is ineligible as she is representing GB in the Pro-league.