6th July 2010
U-16 Boys go down to a strong Belgium
Result: Lost 6-0 (HT 2-0)
After a long weekend and in the heat, the boys were beginning to show signs of fatigue. They started very promisingly though, and in 7 minutes, Morgan Harries threw an aerial from his own half to Tom Czibiernski high on the right, who crossed the ball to Lewis Taylor on the penalty spot, who's slap shot to the left corner was saved by the Belgian keeper. After 13 minutes, the deadlock was broken as Belgium had 2 penalty corners in quick succession, and the second was drag flicked in just above the backboard. After 25 minutes, Belgium made it 2-0, with some great individual skill.
The second half started equally promisingly, with Wales winning 2 penalty corners in quick succession, but again, neither were converted. Another opportunity went begging when Lewis Taylor fired the ball across goal from the right wing, but neither Matt Phillips, nor Sammy Kasto could get on the end of it! From then on Belgium started to dominate, leaving Wales to soak up an immense amount of pressure, especially on centre backs. Dewi Roblin made 3 consecutive saves, only for another shot to be deflected in by an unmarked attacker. After another penalty corner save, the ball landed at the feet of an attacker who miss-hit the shot, but it still managed to bobble over the line; 4-0.
Wales rebounded when newly positioned Ben Francis at left half, ran up the line in complete control of the ball, causing a rash challenge by a Belgian midfielder, which resulted in a yellow card sin-bin for them. Midfielder Rhodri Furlong showed some fantastic link up play with Morgan Harries leading to 2 further penalty corners, but stirker Kym Pullinger couldn't beat the strong footed Belgian keeper.
Things then started to breakdown, and a clumsy challenge by Dan Kyriakides resulted in Wales also having a player sin-binned! A shaken defence allowed the Belgians too much scope to penetrate the 'D', causing Dewi to react and log, but the ball was rifled into the side netting over him. In the final few minutes, Belgium won another penalty corner, and a training ground move of slip right, back inside to the penalty spot and hit bottom right left the final score 6-0, and a lot of Welsh boys disappointed. Morale of the story, more work on short corners!
All in all, the trip was successful, and the development of these boys from December to now is very noticeable and encouraging in looking forward to the Home Nations next year.
Result: Lost 4-3 (HT 1-1)
After a strong showing in their first match, the U16 Boys started very shakily in their second, and within 2 minutes the Belgians had the lead through a very soft reverse stick shot that went through the defence and the keeper. Wales picked up their game and several times the ball was crashed into the 'D' but Wales attackers were unable to get on the end of them.
Things began to look more promising, when 3 penalty corners in 7 minutes were awarded, but none of them were upgraded to goals. Belgium came very close to making it 2-0, when keeper Dewi Roblin was beaten at the near post. A Belgian attacker was left with an open net, and would have scored but for a fantastic reverse stick tackle on the line by Captain Morgan Harries.
Finally, Wales got the goal they deserved, when Toby Roper found himself at the top of the 'D'. His lifted shot was fired from right to left, but was going wide until the quick reactions of Kim Pullinger deflecting the ball into the goal at chest height. It was nearly made 2-1 Wales, as a straight strike from a penalty corner forced a great save from the Belgian keeper.
Wales were on the back foot for much of the second half but the effort and determination of our boys that was extremely encouraging. A Belgian penalty corner made it 2-1 and 15 minutes later, it was 3-1, when the ball was fired into the bottom corner.
This was a turning point in the game; Wales boys dug deep and started playing some quality international Hockey. As the ball was passed calmly around the defence, up to midfield, some fantastic vision saw Matt Phillips receive the ball just outside the 'D', and then beat 4 players on his own before putting the ball in the bottom left corner, making it 3-2. Moments later, a Belgium attack saw yet another penalty corner awarded, which was drag flicked to the bottom left corner. Undeterred, Wales kept on pushing forward with a great mental attitude, and it wasn't long before another penalty corner was awarded; a low drag by Matt to the right post, allowed Ben Francis to deflect the ball above the backboard, making the final score 4-3.
Regardless of the result, they played brilliantly and deserved a better outcome with the number of chances created.
Man of the Match: Dan Kyriakides.
Result: 1-1 (HT 1-0)
The Wales team arrived in Belgium Thursday night and trained this morning. In their opening match this afternoon, the first half proved very promising for the Welsh boys. There were 3 or 4 opportunities to score when the ball was fired in across the face of goal, but nobody was there for the final deflection.
The first real scoring chance was from Sammy Kasto, who rifled a shot from a tight angle on the right, towards the bottom left, only to be denied by a great stick save from the diving Belgian keeper. Kym Pullinger also came close with a one-on-one, but it rebounded off the keeper's chest for a defender to clear it.
The deadlock was broken after 21 minutes, when a foul just outside the 23m line, allowed Morgan Harries (south) to take it quickly and hit it to an "anticipating" Morgan Harries (north) to deflect the ball into the bottom corner.
Belgium had 3 penalty corners, 2 were put wide of the goal, and the 3rd was superbly dealt with on the line of the right post by Myles Dyer, leaving the half-time score 1-0 to Wales.
The second half saw a raging Belgian team attacking a lot harder and faster, and panicked our defence several times, causing rash tackles and some testy moments. Inevitably, they scored when a reverse stick shot going to goalkeeper Alistair Hewins' right post, deflected off the foot of Dan Kyriakides, causing it to wrong foot the keeper and go in the opposite corner after 44 minutes.
Wales reacted and began to dictate play once more, with a number of scoring opportunities, but to no avail. After a much higher tempo, physical second half, the full-time score remained 1-1, but with some very encouraging performances, good results are predicted for the upcoming games.
Man of the Match: Toby Roper.
