James Gall strikes late for England to deny Wales of victory in EuroHockey Championship opener

Wales, playing their first match in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years, came agonisingly close to a hockey heist in Antwerp before England scored two minutes from time to draw 2-2 in their EuroHockey Championship opener.

Wales, at world No 26 the lowest ranked team across the men’s and women’s event here, were denied by a late James Gall deflected goal during a frenetic ending which left England with plenty of analysis work ahead of their second Pool clash tomorrow night against hosts Belgium, the world champions.

“Strangely, I thought the lads did pretty well,” offered England coach Danny Kerry. “I can’t fault the players and on another day it would be a good win against a well-organised side.”

It was a surprising omission when compared to Belgium’s riveting pace and dismantling of Spain, 5-0, in the opening match on Friday, as England offered little attacking intent from the first quarter against a spirited Welsh outfit.

Pressure did finally tell on Wales’s defence with their fifth penalty corner routine as Sam Ward scored with a low drive in the 26th minute.

Welsh chances had come down to set piece routines in the first-half, but they duly levelled with their third corner after the break when Gareth Furlong’s telling flick beat George Pinner’s outstretched left boot.

Back in the top tier of Europe’s elite for the first time since 1999, Wales’ poorly funded, part-time squad were proving a class act in their man-to-man set-up against England’s centralised programme.

Luck did, however, play a pivotal part with their second eight minutes from time when GB junior international Jacob Draper’s cross was touched on by Rhodri Furlong. It proved crucial as defender Henry Weir slipped on a greasy surface and the ball squeezed through Pinner’s legs.

With Pinner taken off to leave 11 outfield players, England rallied through a late corner chance and a well-executed rolled flick from Ashley Jackson saw a timely dive and angled shot from Gall.

Moments later, England were again bearing down on goal - and the umpire - as they frantically looked for a penalty corner. But Wales averted danger and hung on for a deserved point.

Lewis Prosser, Wales’ captain, said: “Defensively we were rock solid and we have to maintain that as there are no easy games here.”

Scotland later lost 9-0 to Germany in their first top tier game for 14 years. The Scots, who also play part-time, came up against a rampant German side which saw Timm Herzbruch score a superb hat-trick.

Meanwhile, England women begin their campaign tomorrow against Ireland, the world silver medallists.

The match will see Sean Dancer, Ireland’s new coach, come up against fellow Australian Mark Hager, his England counterpart.

Dancer had worked as Hager’s assistant with New Zealand women for five years until last year. “It’s a small world and I'm sure we both need to have a couple of things up our sleeve,” said Dancer.