Wales Under 18s are one win away from clinching a semi-final berth in the EuroHockey Youth Championships II on home soil.

Lee Ible’s team followed up their epic late comeback against Scotland, where they secured a draw after being three goals down, with a convincing 2-0 victory over Switzerland at Sophia Gardens.

A win over the Czech Republic on Wednesday evening (6.00pm) would see them safely through to the final four.

In fact, after goals from Miles Margetson and Tim Hodges secured a first win of the eight nation tournament in Cardiff, all the Welsh youngsters will have to do is avoid defeat to reach the semi-finals – and a clash with either Austria or Russia.

Chester midfield Margetson opened the Welsh scoring with his second goal in as many games after only 10 minutes. Finding himself in oceans of space on the left hand side of the circle, his well struck backhand shot flew past Timo Buetlar in the Swiss goal.

Despite dominating both territory and possession, Wales were unable to add to their lead before the half-time break against a Swiss side that had lost 3-1 to the Czechs in their opening game.

The visitors’ well organised defence continued to frustrate Wales and a number of penalty corner chances went begging.

As the game entered the final quarter, the slender one goal advantage held by the home side was doubled when Bridgend’s Hodges capitalised on good work from Jude Ellis to make the game safe.

Scotland also picked up their first win with a 3-1 triumph over the Czech Republic to leave the two Celtic nations tied at the top of Pool B with one game to play before the knock-out stages.

 

EuroHockey Youth Championship II (U18 Boys) – Cardiff, 22-28 July, 2018
Pool A: Italy, Austria, Russia, Belarus
Pool B: Czech Republic, Scotland, Switzerland, Wales

Sunday, 22 July
11.15: Italy 1-4 Russia
13.30: Austria 4-2 Belarus
15.45: Czech Republic 5-2 Switzerland
18.00: Scotland 3-3 Wales

Monday, 23 July
15.45: Russia 3-2 Belarus
18.00: Austria 4-3 Italy

Tuesday, 24 July
15.45: Scotland 3-1 Czech Republic
18.00: Switzerland 2-0 Wales

Wednesday, 25 July
11.15: Italy v Belarus
13.30: Russia v Austria
15.45: Switzerland v Scotland
18.00: Czech Republic v Wales

Thursday, 26 July
Rest Day

Friday, 27 July
09.30: 4th Pool A v 4th Pool B
11.45: 3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B
14.00: SF1 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B
16.30: SF2 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A

Saturday, 28 July
09.00: 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B
11.15: 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A
13.30: 3/4 – Loser SF1 v Loser SF2
16.00: Final – Winner SF1 v Winner SF2