Brazilians not a tough nut to crack

Goals from captain Linda Clement (2), Vikki Bunce (2), Holly Cram, Aileen Davies and Ali Bell gave Scotland a convincing 7-0 win over hosts Brazil in today’s FIH World League Round 2 contest in Rio.
The national side now sit top of the pool standings on six points, ahead of rivals Chile and USA on goal difference. The Scots now face a crucial contest against the Americans tomorrow (14.00 GMT).
The opening goal for Scotland came in the eighth minute when the ever-dangerous Ali Bell created an opening down the right and slipped the ball to Dundee Wanderers’ Vikki Bunce, who fired a low shot under the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Wave after wave of Scottish attacks followed but a series of missed chances frustrated Gordon Shepherd’s side. A move involving Bell and Seven Oaks’ Nikki Lloyd ended with Milne Craig Clydesdale Western’s Holly Cram missing the target before a number of penalty corners failed to come to fruition. Edinburgh University’s Nikki Kidd’s effort was well-saved and Susan McGilveray’s reverse stick effort was mysteriously disallowed by the umpires.
With six minutes left in the first half the Scots finally made their second breakthrough at a set piece as Giffnock defender Kareena Marshall`s shot at goal was brilliantly deflected into the roof of the net by Scotland captain Linda Clement. Scotland then had four late penalty corners, but could not add to their lead at the interval to leave the half-time score at 2-0.
The goals flowed in the second half as the Brazilians visibly tired. A penetrating move up the left by Grove Menzieshill’s Ailsa Wyllie fed the ball to Edinburgh University’s Sam Judge who unselfishly rolled the ball on to Bunce, who had the easy task of slotting the ball into the net for 3-0.  Three minutes later, the fourth goal came from Aileen Davies’ direct strike at a penalty corner.
The avalanche continued when a Kidd cross from the left was deflected home by Cram to make it 5-0. Clement might have got another but her outstretched stick just missed the cross from Catriona Ralph. However, the sixth goal was only delayed a few minutes; Bell collected a misplaced pass out of defence, passed it on to Clement who rolled the ball into the net for her second goal of the game.
The final strike was a team effort involving McGilveray, Ralph and Bunce to leave Bell to slot the ball home for the seventh
Scotland`s next outing today is the big one against the United States, ranked 10th in the world, and this result will go a long way to deciding if Gordon Shepherd`s charges are to finish in a top two place and thereby qualify for round three of the World League.
In the earlier games today, favourites USA against struggled to break through resolute defending but eventually came out 3-0 winners over a spirited Uruguay side.  In the second pool match Chile also retained their perfect record with a comfortable 6-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.

Goals from captain Linda Clement (2), Vikki Bunce (2), Holly Cram, Aileen Davies and Ali Bell gave Scotland a convincing 7-0 win over hosts Brazil in today’s FIH World League Round 2 contest in Rio.

The national side now sit top of the pool standings on six points, ahead of rivals Chile and USA on goal difference, and now face a crucial contest against the Americans tomorrow (14.00 GMT).

Vikki Bunce vs. Brazil FIHWLR2

(Scotland & Dundee Wanderers’ star Vikki Bunce grabbed a double against Brazil. Credit: Pedro Monteiro)

The opening goal for Scotland came in the eighth minute when the ever-dangerous Ali Bell created an opening down the right and slipped the ball to Dundee Wanderers’ Vikki Bunce, who fired a low shot under the Brazilian goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Wave after wave of Scottish attacks followed but a series of missed chances frustrated Gordon Shepherd’s side. A move involving Bell and Seven Oaks’ Nikki Lloyd ended with Milne Craig Clydesdale Western’s Holly Cram missing the target and a number of penalty corners failed to come to fruition. Edinburgh University’s Nikki Kidd’s effort was well-saved and Susan McGilveray’s reverse stick effort was mysteriously disallowed by the umpires.

With six minutes left in the first half, the Scots finally made their second breakthrough at a set piece as Giffnock defender Kareena Marshall’s shot at goal was brilliantly deflected into the roof of the net by Scotland captain Linda Clement. Scotland then had four late penalty corners, but could not add to their lead at the interval to leave the half-time score at 2-0.

Linda Clement/Ali Bell vs. Brazil FIHWLR2

(Scotland captain Linda Clement, left, celebrates one of her two goals with team-mate Ali Bell, right. Credit: Pedro Monteiro)

The goals then flowed in the second half as the Brazilians visibly tired. A penetrating move up the left by Grove Menzieshill’s Ailsa Wyllie fed the ball to Edinburgh University’s Sam Judge, who unselfishly rolled the ball on to Bunce and she had the easy task of slotting the ball into the net for 3-0.  Three minutes later, the fourth goal came from Aileen Davies’ direct strike at a penalty corner.

The avalanche continued when a Kidd cross from the left was deflected home by Cram to make it 5-0. Clement might have got another but her outstretched stick just missed the cross from Catriona Ralph. However, the sixth goal was only delayed a few minutes; Bell collected a misplaced pass out of defence, passed it on to Clement who rolled the ball into the net for her second goal of the game.

The final strike was a team effort involving McGilveray, Ralph and Bunce to leave Bell to slot the ball home for the seventh.

Ali Bell vs. Brazil FIHWLR2

(Scotland & Grove Menzieshill’s Ali Bell took her goalscoring tally in the FIH World League Round 2 to three against Brazil. Credit: Pedro Monteiro)

Scotland`s next outing is tomorrow and the critical clash against the United States, ranked 10th in the world. The outcome will go a long way to deciding if Gordon Shepherd`s charges are to finish in a top two place and thereby qualify for round three of the World League.

In the earlier games today, favourites USA against struggled to break through resolute defending but eventually came out 3-0 winners over a spirited Uruguay side.  In the second pool match Chile also retained their perfect record with a comfortable 6-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.

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


 

 

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top