THE sight of Wales men’s hockey team celebrating their first victory at a World Cup is neccesary to improve the fabric of the men’s game in Wales, says a key figure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wales qualified for the Men’s Hockey World Cup for the first time in their 128-year history, but director of performance at Hockey Wales, Kevin Johnson, told The Cardiffian <\/em>they didn’t make the near 5,000-mile trip to India to just “have fun”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After three morale-sapping group defeats against England, Spain and hosts India, Wales rallied to secure a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against France. Their sights are now set on a ninth-placed finish in the tournament – the highest still available to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “We left for India wanting to prove to ourselves that we can compete with the best,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “The first two losses against England and Spain were frustrating, but we put on an impressive show against hosts India.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three losses meant Wales finished fourth in their group, setting up the clash with France to determine their final placement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We actually came into the game against France with confidence,” Mr Johnson said. “They didn’t expect us to be so fired up”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Against the odds, Wales beat France as keeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill saved four of France’s five attempts in a penalty shootout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n