SCOTLAND LADIES LOSE OUT TO SOUTH AFRICA
Posted by on 2 May 2014
Women’s FIH Champions Challenge I, Pool A Result, Glasgow National Hockey Centre, Scotland
Scotland (Emily Maguire 64') 1-2 South Africa (Shelley Russell 1', 37')
Scotland Senior Women missed out a semi-final place in the Women’s Champions Challenge after falling 2-1 to South Africa in tonight’s last eight encounter at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.
South Africa wasted no time in making their mark on this quarter-final match against Scotland, with Shelley Russell scoring within one minute of the whistle. Having made such a sparkling start, South Africa then appeared to lose their structure and much of the half was spent with Scotland creating attacks, particularly on the right-hand side of the pitch, with South Africa breaking down play, but not really starting any attacks of their own.
Scotland's Vikki Bunce and Alison Bell were particularly energetic in midfield, keeping the experienced duo of Tarryn Bright and Marsha Cox under constant pressure, and preventing them from controlling the centre of the pitch. Also having a fantastic game was goalkeeper Amy Gibson, who celebrated her 50th cap with an impressive performance in goal.
In the second half, South Africa again came out fast with Player of the Match Russell (38') scoring her second of the game. The match flowed across the pitch and both teams showed a fair measure of aggression as Scotland tried to work the ball into the South Africa circle and the team in yellow looked for a third goal.
While South Africa were the more clinical in their finishing, and players like Cox and Russell were able to show their class, there was very little between the two teams in the build-up play. Both sides were quick to put the ball carrier under pressure, but both teams also made some basic errors, particularly when it came to the final attacking moves.
With just seven minutes on the clock, Scotland stormed back into the came when captain Linda Clement (64') hit the bar and Emily McGuire reacted quickest to tap the ball over the line. Scotland piled on the pressure and South Africa started to let panic seep into their game. Fortunately for the team ranked 12th in the world, time was on their side and so they will face Ireland in the semi-finals, while Scotland face a match against Korea.
