Rival Watch: World Cup debutants Wales face uphill task

The Welsh hockey team is placed in Group D along with India, England and Spain.

When you are about to enter the World’s biggest stage, things look glorious as well challenging. This FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in India is a historical one for Wales. For the first time in the history of their Hockey, Wales will be playing in Hockey World Cup. Wales will be making their World Cup debut against their close neighbours England on 13th January at Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.

Hockey Wales recently started a crowdfunding campaign to help send their team to the World Cup in India. The Welsh team are placed in Pool D with India, Spain and England. India is scheduled to face Wales on 19th January at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Currently, in FIH International rankings Wales are placed in 15th position. This World Cup will be a different experience for the team. Wales in the World Cup will definitely look to grasp some good learning for the times ahead. Both India and Wales have played against each other 5 times. So far India had dominated Team Wales with wins in all 5 games. The Welsh had missed out on causing a major upset against India in all 5 encounters. Even in the last game against India Wales lost by a big margin of 1-4.

Recent Performance

Hoci Cymru has been wonderful in European Qualifiers with big victories against teams like Gibraltar and Switzerland. Wales defeated Gibraltar by 7-0 and beat Switzerland by 8-0. In Commonwealth Games, Wales struggled against bigger teams like New Zealand and India. Wales last played against India in Commonwealth Games where they lost the game by 1-4.

About the team

The Welsh are a new entrant in FIH Hockey World Cup. They will be playing in a big tournament for the first time in their history. Even in Summer Olympics Wales as a nation had played only once. In their sole 1908 Summer Olympics, they ended up winning the Bronze medal. The Welsh team was a regular member of the Euro Hockey Championship till 1999. After that, they missed out on playing in the top championship and were relegated to division 2 of the tournament. Now again from 2019 Wales is participating in the top division.

The Coach

Danny Newcombe

The Welsh announced Danny Newcombe as their head coach two and a half years back. Newcombe’s appointment brought some luck and resistance in the Wales team. Under his coaching, they qualified for Hockey World Cup for the first time in their history. Danny was associated with Hockey Wales as an assistant coach for about 9 years and then he got the big job and delivered.

Players to watch out for

Lewis Prosser

Starting as a young prodigy in the Wales Hockey team, Lewis Prosser has made himself a big name with his skills in Playmaking. Prosser in midfield has played an important role to put Wales among the best on Hockey’s biggest stage. Lewis in his 12-year-long career so far has played 114 games for Wales and has scored 5 goals. With him in the eleven, Wales tasted victory in 51 games with 13 ending as draws.

Daniel Kyriakides

27-year-old, 6 feet long defensive midfielder Daniel Kyriakides is an important player in current Wales’s setup. Kyriakides has been a regular member of the Wales squad since he made his international debut. Daniel has also played 11 games for Great Britain. Kyriakides will be looking to open their goal-scoring account in this World Cup, yet his defensive role will be crucial for the Welsh.

Joseph Naughalty

It was Joseph Naughalty’s strike against Ireland in the qualifiers that put Wales in FIH Hockey World Cup 2023. Naughalty is one of the most experienced players in the Wales team. His game at a crucial time always proved beneficial for the team. 35 years old midfielder Joseph has played 47 games and scored 18 goals.

What to expect

When Wales will enter the field against England on 13th January in Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela this will be a massive moment in Wales Hockey. Expectations will be on the lower side of them, yet a team that has nothing to lose will look to cherish every single second in the field. Wales will be playing against England, Spain and India.