FIH Hockey World Cup: Wales target upsets in Pool D

Wales faced plenty of adversity in their qualifying campaign.

After a 2-2 draw with Chile in their pool, they suffered a 5-0 defeat to France which left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

The team bounced back to hammer Scotland 5-0, in a game in which they needed to win by three goals to progress.

Fleck says it was never in doubt.

“From minute one of the game, the start of the warm ups, there was something you felt that we were going to win the game by the amount of goals we needed,” said Fleck.

“It never felt like Scotland were in it and no disrespect to them at all, I know they gave everything they could.

“I just think sometimes you win a mental battle and teams just crumble and that’s what happened.”

Wales were then beaten 4-0 by Ireland but responded two days later to beat Poland and seal their place at the World Cup.

“It was pure emotion [at full-time],” added Fleck.

“It was an up and down journey throughout the tournament and just an emotional release from everyone and pure celebrations.

“We believed the whole time that we were going to do it.

“It’s testament to the leaders in the squad and the general character we have throughout that we’re able to have honest discussions with each other.

“We had player meetings after each of those losses, not to pin blame but to discuss what happened and how we’ll move forward.

“Everyone gets a voice and we’re all on the same page to go again the next day and clearly it makes a big difference.”

Fleck also praised the cohesion and the joy at playing with his “best mates”.

“There is an older group of lads like Dan Kyriakides, Ben Francis and Dale Hutchinson who’ve played together since they were 13 and then there are other pockets of us younger boys who’ve all played together since we were 13,” said Fleck.

“Those two groups are starting to meld into one big pot, it’s a pretty special place to be around.”