Defeat to Russia in penultimate Hockey Series Open match

Scotland men were defeated 4-1 by Russia in their penultimate match of Hockey Series Open in Lousada. The Blue Sticks have one match remaining in the Hockey Series Open and will play Belarus tomorrow at 12:30.

It was a very fast opening to the game with both teams looking to attack and create chances from the first whistle.

Russia had the first shot on goal, and prompted a comfortable save by Tommy Alexander with his leg guards at the near post.

Scotland also looked dangerous and some good play down the left set up Rob Harwood for an opportunity, but his powerful effort blasted over the bar.

The opening goal came as the first quarter end came into sight, and it was Russia who took the lead with Pavel Golubev scoring a rebound after a save by Alexander. The ball was looped forward over Willie Marshall; a good take by the forward allowed a shot, which was saved low by the diving Alexander. Golubev, however, was on hand to knock the rebound high into the net for 1-0.

The second quarter action was end-to-end with both teams creating opportunities. Scotland came close to an equaliser when the ball zipped across the Russia goal but Kyle White couldn’t connect at the far post.

Russia then went 2-0 up from the penalty spot in the second quarter. Semen Matkovskiy sent Alexander the wrong way to score into the bottom left corner.

It nearly went to 3-0 soon after when a slack pass in midfield allowed Russia to run through on goal, but Alexander was out quickly to send the forward wide of the goal and harmlessly out of play.

Alexander was called into action a number of times in the second quarter and produced an excellent save at a Russian penalty corner, it allowed Scotland to tear forward through Harwood, but he couldn’t link with White or Callum Duke and the danger was cleared.

After half time Scotland pulled one back through Luke Cranney. The Blue Sticks worked their way into the Russian D and good control by Cranney set himself up for a powerful finish on the reverse. 2-1.

In what seemed like an endless stream of Russian penalty corners, Alexander pulled off a number of great saves, including one at the top right corner

Eventually Russia made one of them count and a low penalty corner from Matkovskiy made it 3-1 to Russia.

Russia added a fourth as the game reached a close through a low powerful shot into the bottom left corner after Scotland couldn’t clear the danger. Marat Khairullin the scorer to give Russia a big win in Hockey Series Open.

Schedule

September 4 2018 | 14:30 | Scotland 7-2 Turkey

September 5 2018 | 16:30 | Scotland 2-0 Portugal

September 6 2018 | 14:30 | Gibraltar 0-2 Scotland

September 8 2018 | 14:30 | Scotland 1-4 Russia

September 9 2018 | 12:30 | Belarus v Scotland

Find out more about the Scotland men’s squad HERE.

 

 

Derek Forsyth. Scottish Hockey Senior Mens' Head Coach.

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