Brazil next up for Shepherd’s Scotland side

Gordon Shepherd, Scotland`s coach expressed mild satisfaction at his side`s seven goal thrashing of fourth seed Trinidad & Tobago in the opening fixture of the women`s World League.
“I was delighted to win in such testing conditions, to score seven goals and keep a clean sheet was a perfect start.   Also significant was that the entire squad was used in the game and we have come away with no injuries.”
In the past there has been criticism of Shepherd`s side struggling against lesser opposition on account of chances missed in front of goal, but against Trinidad there was a more lethal look about the strike force.
After yesterday`s rest day, Scotland take on hosts Brazil in the second pool match, tournament underdogs at 51 in the world rankings.   Although they lost their opening fixture 6-0 to the United States, it was goalless at the interval as the Brazilians packed their defence.
“They are a very hard side to break down with so many players behind the ball,” said Shepherd.   “We will have to be patient, but if we play in the correct manner I`m confident we`ll win comfortably.”
The management team were out watching the main opposition USA and Chile in their opening matches, it is likely to be a dogfight between the three teams for the coveted top two spots for moving on to round three.
“The USA look a fit and well organised side while Chile are a little unorthodox in their play, but if we play the way we know we can I certainly believe we can beat Chile,” remarked Shepherd.

Scotland Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd expressed mild satisfaction at his side`s convincing seven goal victory over fourth seed Trinidad & Tobago in the opening fixture of the FIH World League Round 2 yesterday.

“I was delighted to win in such testing conditions. To score seven goals and keep a clean sheet was a perfect start. It was also significant that the entire squad was used in the game and we have come away with no injuries,” said Shepherd.

Gordon Shepherd FIHWRL2

(Scotland Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd, left, is targeting another good performance against Brazil tomorrow, credit: Pedro Monteiro)

Scotland take on hosts Brazil tomorrow in the second pool match and the Scots will be eager to continue where they left off yesterday, particularly against the tournament underdogs , who are placed 51 according to the FIH world rankings.

Although the Brazilians lost their opening fixture 6-0 to the United States, it was goalless at the interval as the hosts packed their defence and Shepherd is wary of this strategy, “They are a very hard side to break down with so many players behind the ball. We will have to be patient, but if we play in the correct manner I`m confident we`ll win comfortably.”

The management team were out watching the main opposition USA and Chile in their opening matches, and it is likely to be a dogfight between the three teams for the coveted top two spots and qualification for round three.

“The USA look a fit and well organised side while Chile are a little unorthodox in their play, but if we play the way we know we can I certainly believe we can beat both Chile and USA,” remarked Shepherd.

Please visit the FIH World League Round 2 website for more information on the match schedule, results and pool standings.


 

 

 

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