The Welsh men and Irish women won their bronze matches to lock down World Cup qualification and their place in this summer’s showcase event in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It was euphoria for Wales after securing World Cup qualification with a 2-1 victory over Poland.
Danny Newcombe’s struck first in the 22nd minute when Poland gave up a penalty corner with Gareth Furlong sending a rocket into the corner.
He did not hesitate again when Wales earned a second set piece five minutes later, hitting the opposite corner and putting his team up 2-0 heading into halftime.
Poland did fight back with Maksymillian Koperski got one on the board but they could not find a previous equaliser.
Jacob Draper of Wales was named player of the match. “Tournament hockey is a crazy thing, it’s so unpredictable,” said Draper.
“If you asked me if we were going to the World Cup a week ago, I’d have told you absolutely no chance…I’m over the moon, I’m so speechless. It’s the work that the guys have done away from the tournament, that makes this tournament so good.”
Ireland qualified for the World Cup with a thrilling shootout victory over Japan. With the fourth-place finish, Japan will await the results of the qualifier in Hyderabad, India, as the highest ranked fourth place finisher will also qualify.
After a first quarter that belonged to Ireland, Japan picked up the pace in the second but Ireland had the ball in the net just before the break via Mia Jennings but a video review showed an earlier back-stick.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Ireland having more of the chances with Japan dangerous on the break but to no avail on the score sheet.
In the shoot-out, Sarah Hawkshaw and Hannah McLoughlin edged Ireland in front 2-1 with Lizzie Murphy saving the second Japanese effort
And the game was won in the fourth round when Jessica McMaster calmly slotted in for 3-1 and Murphy saved once more.
Murphy was honoured as player of the match and said afterwards: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. This group have worked so hard to get there, and it’s not only the 20 players here, it’s the 30 of the squad that are at home. We’ve pushed, we’ve had a tough year, and we’ve just kept building.”
