20 Jun, 2025 Lausanne, Switzerland – The first day of a new stage of the Nations Cup did not disappoint as the ranking games added an extra element of risk and reward for each team. Dramatic finishes, huge celebrations and impressive goalscoring sent the tournament into tomorrow’s final games on an exciting high. Wales and Japan opened the day’s play in the 5th-8th place play-offs and, not for the first time in the competition, Wales took a strong lead. Unlike the previous games, however, they held onto their advantage to pick up their first win of the tournament and progress to the 5th/6th place play-off. Japan will head into the 7th/8th place play-off to face South Africa, both sides hoping that first win will help them avoid a last-placed finish. Hosts Malaysia bounced back from Wednesday’s disappointment to beat South Africa 4-2 in a convincing performance that puts them into a final game against Wales to battle for 5th place. Pakistan roared back against France in the first semi-final, causing a real upset in beating Les Bleus 3-2 on penalties. Led by the mercurial creative powers of Waheeb Ashraf Rana, Pakistan will be playing for a spot in the FIH Men’s Pro League against New Zealand in the final. The Blacksticks won a penalty shootout of their own, beating Korea despite a strong comeback thanks to the impressive Korean penalty corner battery. The 3rd/4th place play-off will be a repeat of the incredible Day 1 game that finished 6-5 between France and Korea. Wales 6-4 Japan Both sides began the 5th-8th place play-offs searching for their first win. Wales’s Fred Newbold opened the scoring on his reverse in the ninth minute, smartly beating Kisho Kuroda at his near post. Japan responded four minutes into the second quarter with a penalty corner excellently guided between ‘keeper and left-post defender by a diving Ryoma Ooka. Less than a minute later, however, and Wales had a deflection of their own after Joylon Morgan got a stick to Gareth Furlong’s penetrating slap to re-establish the Welsh lead. As the first-half neared its close, Japan won another penalty corner, one that was mis-trapped, passed back and across the circle before Koji Yamasaki volleyed a forehand hit across goal to equalise going into half-time. Two minutes into the second half and the goals started to flow even more freely. Kazumasa Matsumoto’s rifled shot clattered against the backboard to give Japan a lead and, just a few possessions later, Sam Welsh knocked in another Welsh goal to make it 3-3. The goal, coming from Jack Pritchard’s explosive spinning assist, lifted Wales to find the lead again, this time Morgan slicing a reverse bunt over the ‘keeper. Koji Yamasaki was shown a yellow card with a minute left in the third quarter and Wales capitalised, Joylon Morgan getting a bit of fortune for his hat-trick goal as his cross-goal slap pinballed its way over the goalline. The final quarter saw a Gareth Furlong drag-flick and a Kosei Kawabe consolation cancel each other out to leave the score 6-4 and send Wales through to the 5th-6th place play-off with their first win of the tournament. Joylon Morgan’s hat-trick earned him Player of the Match and he celebrated his side’s progression: “[We’re] pretty happy, it was a tough game – we knew Japan were a good team. The most important thing was just to get through, it’s our first win of the tournament so [we’re] very happy.” Malaysia 4-2 South Africa After a gut-wrenching failure to qualify for Malaysia, the host nation came into the game with work to do and fans to recompense. They struck first with a minute left in the first quarter, as Syed Cholan slugged a rapid drag-flick against the backboard from Malaysia’s third penalty corner. Into the second quarter, again with a minute until the end of the period, South Africa quickly turned over a Malaysian counter-attack and sent the ball deep into the hosts’ half. A defensive fumble in the circle fell to Angelo Walstroom who confidently equalised. After gifting an equalising goal to the South Africans, Malaysia took charge of the game in the third quarter as Shafiq Hassan wrestled in a chance created by the scything carry of Chohan and good skill from Abu Kamal Azrai. Hassan created the next one himself, cutting infield and shooting before Akhimullah Anuar bumbled the ball over the line to extend the hosts’ lead. South Africa threatened another comeback in the final quarter as Carlon Mentoor’s firm slap found the bottom corner but Fitri Saari’s ended the scrappy play in the circle by restoring Malaysia’s two-goal lead. South Africa will have to wait for their first win of the tournament but will hope to get it tomorrow against Japan. Player of the Match went to Goalkeeper Hafizzudin Othman for his solid shot-stopping. After receiving the award, he said: “Today [was a] tough match. We worked hard to play for fifth and sixth place.” France 3 (2) – 3 (3) Pakistan France, after a strong showing in the pool stages, faced Pakistan in the first semi-final and the most exciting game of the day. The first quarter remained goalless despite five penalty corners being exchanged, one for Pakistan, four for France. In the second quarter, Xavier Esmenjaud threw himself forward with an outstretched stick to put Les Bleus in the lead, touching in a ball across goal. Early in the second half, France doubled their lead, as the inevitable Victor Charlet converted France’s fifth penalty corner to give France a real boost towards the final. Pakistan roared back into the game, however, overturning France the dominance and control as Waheed Ashraf Rana set up Afraz’s slap shot before both erupted into celebrations that marked the shift in momentum. Sufyan Khan joined the party, letting fly an unsaveable drag-flick into the top left corner and finding parity with the French. A minute later, Muhammad Hammadudin fantastically deflected in Rana’s flat reverse hit to go 3-2 up. Victor

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19 Jun, 2025 The final day of pool matches at the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 delivered exactly what was expected—high stakes, end-to-end action, heartbreak, and elation. With all four games impacting the race for the semi-finals, it was a day where every goal mattered. France and Uruguay topped their groups, while Wales edged through on goal difference, and hosts Poland delighted the home crowd by keeping their dream alive. Italy 4-0 Czechia Italy left it late to turn on the style, but when they did, they delivered a statement performance with four unanswered goals in the second half to keep their semi-final hopes alive, pending the result between France and Wales. After a goalless and frustrating first half, Maria Lunghi reacted quickest to a penalty corner save to break the deadlock. Guadalope Moras doubled the lead with a wonderful reverse stick strike before Ailin Oviedo and Victoria Cabut added a pair of penalty corner finishes to secure a dominant win. Player of the Match Lunghi reflected: “We are very happy to get the win, we worked together well today. We now will watch the France game and hope that we can be in the semi-final.” Wales 1-2 France Already assured of a semi-final place, France maintained their perfect record, but the real story was Wales, who, despite defeat, celebrated semi-final qualification thanks to a crucial goal that gave them a better goal difference than Italy. Ines Lardeur’s clinical finish opened the scoring before Yohanna Lhopital’s rocket reverse doubled the French lead, much to the groans of Italian fans. But when Lily Roberts redirected a pinpoint ball into the goal, it meant Wales had done just enough to sneak through. France’s Lucie Ehrmann shared: “It wasn’t our prettiest hockey, but we stayed composed and focused on the task. We’ll continue our preparation as we have, it’s working well so far!” Uruguay 4-2 Malaysia Needing only a draw, Uruguay pushed for more and got it with a composed and confident performance that booked their place in the final four. A brace from Manuela Quinones was the highlight of a clinical showing. Quinones opened the scoring before Manuela Vilar converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. Malaysia showed fight through two goals from Nur Azhar, but Uruguay always had a response, first via Barrandeguy and then Quinones again with a sharp penalty corner finish. Lupe Curutchague summed it up: “We worked and fought together superbly. We wanted it more, I think, and we are delighted to be in the semi-finals!” South Africa 2-3 Poland A must-win clash for both sides saw hosts Poland edge a thrilling battle to grab the final semi-final spot and send South Africa into the 5–8 bracket. Quanita Bobbs gave South Africa a dream start, scoring inside the first minute. But Poland hit back almost instantly through Hanna Wochna and added two more via Oliwia Krychniak and a Sandra Tatarczuk penalty stroke. Daniella de Oliveira’s first international goal gave South Africa hope, but they couldn’t find the equaliser in the closing stages. Polish captain Marlena Rybacha said: “We didn’t necessarily expect this. Like the Indoor World Cup, we’re a team that fights and defends to win. There’s more to come for Polish hockey.” To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, click here. FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 – 19 June 2025 Walcz, Poland (POL) Result: Match 1 Italy 4-0 Czechia Player of the match: Maria Lunghi (ITA) Umpires: Sharne Meyers (ZIM), Yogita Pasi (IND) Result: Match 2 Wales 1-2 France Player of the match: Lucie Ehrmann (FRA) Umpires: Ilaria Amorosini (ITA), Meghan McLennan(CAN) Result: Match 3 Uruguay 4-2 Malaysia Player of the match: Lupe Curutchague (URU) Umpires: Kelly-Anne Foskin (NZL), Teresa Lipsky (GER) Result: Match 4 South Africa 2-3 Poland Player of the match: Hannah Wochna (POL) Umpires: Jamie Telfer (SCO), Sarah Craig (IRL)

18 Jun, 2025 Day 3 of the tournament saw both Pools reach their final standings as twelve games of hockey culminated with all the excitement, skill and high-level contest with which they began. In Pool A, Korea joined the already-qualified France after their attritional 1-0 win over South Africa, claiming the only clean sheet of the tournament so far in the process. Wales earned an impressive draw that ended France’s perfect record, a game in which four goals of the highest-standard left the scoreline 2-2. With just two points, however, Wales find themselves third in the group and heading to the 5th-8th place play-offs. In Pool B, New Zealand completed their third win of the tournament and their third resurgence from a losing position to beat Pakistan 4-3. Pakistan, having been 3-1 in the lead, were forced to watch on from the stands as Malaysia played Japan with the chance of hurdling Pakistan on points difference. The hosts gave themselves an excellent chance of qualification for the semi-finals, finding themselves 2-0 up going into the final quarter, but a late Japanese goal dragged Malaysia back down into third in the pool, sending them into the 5th-8th place play-offs. Play resumes on Friday as Pakistan join New Zealand in qualifying from Pool B and France and Korea progress from Pool A, forming an enthralling pair of semi-finals. Korea 1-0 South Africa After two days of frantic goalscoring, both sides began the first game of Day 3 with far more caution and defensive resolve. The first quarter saw Korea hesitant to heavily commit going forward, instead they sat back and opted to counter-attack, hunting in smaller packs. Three penalty corners were as close as they got to creating chances in the first quarter. South Africa were insistent in attack but the Korean defence, led by Kim Jaehan in goal and Lim Dohyun at the back, were confident and highly-skilled in preventing any South African joy. With just a minute to play in the somewhat reserved first-half, Korea found a seemingly innocuous foot five yards outside the circle. After referral, it was deemed an intentional breakdown and Korea were awarded a penalty corner. Lim Dohyun’s drag-flick surgically dissected the space between goalkeeper and left-post defender to find the net and put his country 1-0 up. In quarters three and four, South Africa won five penalty corners but failed to convert any, Korean defences holding strong and eventually doing enough to claim the first clean sheet of this Nations Cup and qualification to the semi-finals. Despite claims of a penalty stroke on the final whistle, South Africa’s attacking impotence leave them with just one point, confining them to the 5th-8th place play-offs. Lim Dohyun’s match-winning flick and martial command of his defence were recognised at the end of the game with the Player of the Match award. Yang Jihun said: “I am happy to have won the match today – it was a very important match to get points in. We wanted to get to the semi-finals and we’re now preparing for the semi-finals. We defended first and then countered fast when we had the ball.” France 2-2 Wales The first-half between France and Wales saw a goal of the tournament contender from both sides. Fourteen minutes into the game, Brieuc Delemazure’s long-range slap was deftly redirected by Amaury Bellenger from the top of the circle, beating Toby Reynolds-Cotterill at his near post and taking a very sudden 1-0 lead for France. Mid-way through the second quarter, Wales responded with some magic of their own. Jacob Draper slammed a ball to Fred Newbold on the right edge of the circle. Newbold charged into the space in front of him, aiming for the baseline and snuck a firm flick over the left shoulder of Edgar Reynaud into the near top corner. The ball rebounded off the far post, crossed the line and drew Wales level. Late in the third quarter, with France reduced to ten, a Welsh overhead pass was collected and played directly into the circle by Stanislas Branicki. Jack Pritchard picked it up on the turn, snapped it back across goal onto his reverse and slotted it beneath Reynaud to take a 2-1 lead. France had not been without chances though, and, at their seventh attempt, finally converted a penalty corner with six minutes to play. Viktor Lockwood’s flat drag-flick was deflected up into the top corner by Bellenger for his – and France’s – second goal. Les Bleus continued to threaten until the final whistle but, ultimately, the two sides cancelled each other out with two fantastic goals each. France remain top of the group but lose their perfect record and Wales double their points tally on their way to the 5th-8th place play-offs. Jack Pritchard was awarded his second Player of the Match award of the tournament and acknowledged his side’s strong showing: “It was a really good performance I think. We started slow in the first ten, fifteen minutes but really pushed through that – [we] went one goal down early but fought back really well. We always have a really good battle with France and today proved it – exactly the same. They’re a top side, so it was a good achievement. It was a shame to let that one in with four or so minutes to go but we can be really proud of our performance looking forward to the next stage.” New Zealand 4-3 Pakistan The first Pool B game of the day saw Pakistan, who needed a win to qualify, meet a New Zealand side who had claimed every available point in the competition so far. The first penalty corner of the game was presented to the Blacksticks in the seventh minute and Nic Woods forced a drag-flick through the left-post defender to kickstart the scoring. From this moment, Pakistan built momentum. With two minutes remaining in the quarter, Abdul Rehman equalised. Rehman poleaxed a drag-flick into the top right of the Kiwi net and

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