European II Women's Hockey Championship: Wales 0-0 Austria

Image source, CzechFieldHockey

Image caption, Wales had seven penalty corners against Austria, but could not capitalise on them

Wales opened their European II Women's Hockey Championship campaign with a 0-0 draw against Austria in Pool B, the opening game of the tournament.

University of Birmingham's Betsan Thomas made her senior tournament debut.

However, Izzie Howell and Izzy Webb, will have to wait until later in the event to win their 50th caps.

Wales next play France in Prague on Monday, 31 July (18:00 BST) in Europe's second tier.

Kevin Johnson's side complete their group fixtures against Lithuania on Wednesday, 2 August (11.15 BST).

Wales warmed up for the tournament in a Tri-Nations competition in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Johnson said: ''We pushed extremely hard throughout the game from the first to the last minute but unfortunately couldn't find the goal to take the win.

"Aside from that we played a well balanced game, creating multiple chances and not allowing Austria any chances on our goal.

"We must take the positives from this forward into our game against France."

Wales squad: Beth Bingham (Wimbledon, captain), Hannah Cozens (Reading HC), Rebecca Daniel (Durham University), Emily Drysdale (Clifton Robinsons), Millie Holme (ISCA/University of Exeter), Livvy Hoskins (Clifton Robinsons), Izzie Howell (Zehlendorfer Wespen, vice-captain), Xenna Hughes (Bowdon HC), Ella Jackson, (Swansea HC, GK), Sarah Jones (Wimbledon, vice-captain), Eloise Laity (Clifton Robinsons), Megan Lewis-Williams (Buckingham), Molly Munro (Clifton Robinsons), Lauren Roberts (East Grinstead, GK), Emily Rowlands (Hampstead & Westminster), Phoebe Richards (Clifton Robinsons), Betsan Thomas (University of Birmingham), Izzy Webb (Clifton Robinsons).