Prague Day 3
Cardiff came into their final match against Post SV Wien already knowing that they were guaranteed a top two place in Group B and a place in the play-off finals. Furthermore, results earlier meant that Wales would move into the crucial top sixteen of the European rankings (from eighteenth) for next year.
With this in mind, three key players were rested. Tim Jones, Mark Ramage and Chris Shaw had previously picked up a yellow card and another would have meant suspension for the play-off match. Mark Gardiner had already met that fate an was suspended for this game.
The team from Vienna have started their previous matches brightly and took the lead after ten minutes when a loose ball was hit home from close range. Cardiff then equalised after and run to the byline and cross from Brendon Noble was converted at the far post by Ian Davies.
Just as the half-time hooter was about to blow, Cardiff needlessly conceded a penalty corner from which the Austrians retook the lead with a low drag flick.
The second half was a strangely quiet affair, with few chances although the Wien goalkeeper had to make a couple of sharp saves at penalty corners.
Tomorrow, Cardiff play Dinamo Kazan for one of the top spots in the tournament, a proposition that the team seem to prefer to an alternative game against the team from Dublin (despite what the results might suggest).
The usual goals video:
Sunday, 3 June 2007