FIH World Cup Qualifier – Pisa, Italy 2021
The FIH Women’s World Cup will take place across two locations in the Catalonian City of Terrassa and the Dutch municipality of Amstelveen, in the summer of 2022. It will include sixteen of the top teams, across five confederations. There are a variety of ways that an international hockey team can qualify for the upcoming championships. The most straightforward method is to medal at the continental championships. Five teams have qualified already, including the two hosts, Spain and the Netherlands. Additionally, the three next highest placed teams from the EuroHockey Championships have also secured their places; Belgium, England and Germany. We’ve yet to see who will represent the other confederations next summer, but between the 21st and the 24th of October, we will see who takes the final European spot at the World Cup.
The Women’s World Cup Qualifying event will be hosted in Pisa, Italy next week, hosting eight teams in a three round, straight knock out format. With only one team going through to the Finals in Spain and the Netherlands next year, this means that three wins will get your favourite side there. Here we will have a little look at the British and Irish teams that’ll be looking to secure their place at the FIH 2022 Women’s World Cup.
21st October – Quarter Finals
Match 1 – Ireland vs. France
Match 2 – Russia vs. Belarus
Match 3 – Italy vs. Wales
Match 4 – Scotland vs. Poland
22nd October – Classification Matches (5th to 8th)
Match 5 – Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2
Match 6 – Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4
23rd October – Semi Finals
Match 7 – Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2
Match 8 – Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4
24th October
Match 9 – Loser Match 5 vs. Loser Match 6 (7th/8th Playoff)
Match 10 – Winner Match 5 vs Winner Match 6 (5th/6th Playoff)
Match 11 – Loser Semi Final 1 vs. Loser Semi Final 2 (Bronze Medal)
Match 12 – Winner Semi Final 1 vs. Winner Semi Final 2 (Gold Medal)
Ireland – FIH World Ranking 12
The Irish are a strong team and have earned their position as the top seed in this tournament. The Irish were the surprise package at the 2018 World Cup in London, going all the way to the final, only to be beaten by a strong Dutch team.There are still a few silver medalists currently playing, even more players who were a part of the women’s side’s first ever appearance at an Olympic Games, in Tokyo. Coached by former New Zealand assistant Sean Dancer, they have the potential to beat anybody who will be in Pisa this month.
Goalkeeper
Ayeisha McFerran is the only member of the squad who is currently playing abroad, with SV Kampong. She was the first choice goalie in 2018 and won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the World Cup. She’s solid in one versus one’s, as well as good going across the line. She’s one of the best ‘keepers in the world.
Captain
Katie Mullan is a versatile player, who can play across two lines. She has bags of experience, having played for her country 203 times, won a silver medal at the previous World Cup and skippered her country at that tournament, as well as at the Tokyo Olympics. Look out for her ability to win the ball and start new attacking moves for her team.
Star Forwards
Anna O’Flanagan might be short in stature, but she’s a huge player on the pitch. A lot of the good link up play between the midfield and the forward line will go through her, as Anna’s off the ball movement is top notch. A very experienced player, who’s played in several campaigns, as well as having played domestic hockey overseas. Keep an eye on O’Flanagan for some exciting hockey.
Deirdre Duke came onto the radar for many hockey fans during the 2018 World Cup, after banging home a quick counter attack against the USA, which became one of the goals of the tournament. The Old Alex attacking player is a proper centre forward and target player, who will strike fear into the hearts of opposition defences.
Young Player
Niamh Carey is coming into this qualifying event as an uncapped player. The twin sister of team mate Michelle Carey, she will be looking to link up with her sibling, whilst on the pitch. This is her chance to gain some important international experience and, potentially, stake a claim for a game at the World Cup.
Scotland – FIH World Raning 19
Scotland may be ranked in third place, but the squad is packed with talent. There are four players who have been capped by the Great Britain senior side, including Sarah Robertson, who has an Olympic bronze medal to her name. Additionally, Emily Dark is a well known name within the GB Elite Development Programme, with a bright future ahead of her. Although the Italians are ranked higher coming into this tournament, Scotland did get over the top of their European rivals in the final of the EuroHockey Championships II Division, in 2019.
Goalkeepers
Amy Gibson is the elder states-person amongst all of the Scottish goalies. She earned two GB caps, before being released from the centralised programme, after which she moved to the Continent. Now she plays for German Bundesliga side Der Club An der Alster, where she has won both indoor and outdoor titles with her club. In July, Gibson appeared on the 12th season of the Half Court Press Podcast, Hockey Dream Team, with men’s ‘keeper Tommy Alexander. You can listen to it, here…
Jess Buchanan; the nineteen year old has had a hand full of senior caps for her country, but this call up from the Under 21 side, ahead of the more experienced Nicki Cochrane and Lucy Camlin, represents a mark of faith in the youngster. As she plays her hockey in Catalonia, she will be looking to earn a spot at the World Cup, in order to play at her club’s home pitch. Recently, Buchanan appeared in Hockey Player Profiles, the 13th series of the Half Court Press Podcast. You can listen to it here…
Co-Captains
Bex Condie and Becky Ward are the two Regal Rebecca’s leading this team. Both play at the back, providing a solid base to the team. These two players were involved in the successful 2019 European campaign, as well as gaining the experience of captaining their side in the A-Grade event in 2021. There are brains to this pairing as well. Condie has Batchelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise Science, as well as two Master’s degrees, in the Exercise Sciences. Ward is no slouch either, working as a PE Teacher, when she isn’t playing hockey. The Taysider is also well known within the ice hockey community in Scotland, as her family is heavily involved in the sport. Becky Ward recently appeared on the Half Court Press Podcast. You can listen to her episode here…
Rising Stars
Charlotte Watson is an exciting talent in the forward line. Originally from Tayside, she used to play for Dundee Wanderers, alongside Becky Ward. After being promoted from the Elite Development Programme, to the senior GB side, she has played several matches in the Pro League under former Head Coach Mark Hager. Now a part of the Centralised Programme, Watson has recently been playing for Loughborough University
Emily Dark; if it feels like she’s been around for ages, it’s probably because, despite her youthfulness, she’s got bags of experience. After making her Scotland debut at the age of 17, she has cemented her place in the side. She has been a member of the GB EDP since 2018. Emily won Young Player of the Tournament at the 2019 EuroHockey Championships II Division, before going on to score in the 2021 edition of the top tournament. She studies Physics at the University of St. Andrew’s and is a reservist in the RAF. Dark has recently appeared on the Half Court Press Podcast, which you can listen to here…
Great British Hockey Stars
Sarah Robertson is, as of this summer, an Olympic bronze medallist. She was a part of the Tokyo 2020 squad that travelled to the delayed Games and beat India in the 3rd Place Playoff. She gets forward well and will be a great asset to the Scots with her ambitious play. She got her first GB cap in February of 2015, but we very nearly lost her from hockey. Robertson had a promising youth career in football and could have gone all the way in that sport.
Amy Costello, was one of the travelling reserves in Tokyo. She looked solid at the back in the build up games and plays the ball well. She’s not one to lose possession cheaply. She’s been a part of the GB set up since 2017, played in the Olympic Qualifiers, as well as in several Pro League matches. Costello recently moved to Germany to play for Uhlenhorster HC.
Wales – FIH World Ranking 25
The Welsh are outside contenders for World Cup qualifications, being behind the Irish, Italians and Scots in the FIH World Rankings, but they have the potential to do well and shouldn’t be underestimated by any team.There are a number of Great Britain senior internationals in the wider squad, including a couple of Olympians. The 18 player squad for this event hasn’t been announced, at the time of publication, but we can look at a few of the more well known players.
Goalkeeper
Rose Thomas was formerly a part of the GB Centralised Programme, winning four caps. Currently playing for Holcombe, in the English leagues, she has been playing for Wales since June of 2011. This makes her one of the longest serving member of the Welsh set-up and the experience will be important in keeping the wolves from the door.
Captain
Leah Wilkinson became an established part of Mark Hager’s Great British team during his tenure as Head Coach. She can play in either defence, or midfield and was heavily involved in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she was one of two Welsh players to bring home a bronze medal. Wilkinson is also one of the short corner specialists for Wales and could bag a few goals this month. She has gone to three Commonwealth Games, including New Delhi 2010, Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018, as well as appeared in the FIH Pro League.
Star Player
Sarah Jones is a dynamic and exuberant midfielder for Wales and Great Britain. Alongside Leah Wilkinson, Jones is the other Welsh player to have come home from Tokyo with a bronze medal. She made her debut for her home nation against Scotland in 2011 and was brought into the GB set up in 2016. Look out for her as she looks to link up play between the back line and the forwards.
