By FIHP W D L F A Pts
Australia 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
Scotland 2 1 0 1 3 2 3
Chile 2 1 0 1 1 5 3
Malaysia 3 1 0 2 3 10 3
Ireland 2 0 0 2 0 5 0
ALTHOUGH Australia won, it was an outstanding performance from Scotland that kept everybody captivated and the score was not guaranteed until the final whistle.
During the first part of the match Australia battled for the ball possession but the Scottish was determined to compete. Scotland pressure the Hockeyroos most of the time limiting them to very few scoring opportunities.
Nevertheless, Australia managed to create successful Penalty Corners (3 in the first half) and scored two beautiful goals as a result of great efforts made by Casey EASTHAM who deflected the ball through the goalkeeper into the net. The second goal just shy of half time arrived by Australia’s captain Madonna BLYTH, al a great deflection goal into the net.
Scotland obtained their first Penalty Corner after a team effort lead by Alison BELL who created an attack from the right side of the field. However, Hope MUNRO, the first runner outer stopped their attempt to score.
Australia tried to shift the ball side to side in order to create spaces in Scotland’s defense with no success. The game continued to be a battle and Scotland utilized effectively the fact that MUNRO was out of the field with a Green card to create more pressure to the rattled Hockeyroos.
Australia had good combinations between the young Anna Flanagan from the back left field, Teneal ATTARD and Kobie McGURK also from the defense unit, who showed great composure to control the Scottish attacks.
Scotland aimed for Penalty Corners and long passes into the circle helped by spaces left by the Australians. They successfully created two Penalty Corners during the second half with no great efficiency to conquer.
Australia even with their willingness to demonstrate their supremacy in the world ranking had not success in creating Penalty Corners in the second half. Kate HOLLYWOOD had the most impressive intent to score and stretch the lead. But her attempt was just missed over the cross bar.
Only minutes before the end of the match, Scotland managed to enter the circle by efforts of Scottish forwards. Holy CRAM was the responsible to give Scotland their only goal in this game.
Still, the final score (1:2) gave Australia the winning points and the lead in this BDO World Cup Qualifier, Santiago.
