Forsyth four goal haul proves too much for Croatia

 

Scotland`s promotion aspirations are still in tact after a 6-0 crushing of Croatia in the second pool match at the European Nations Championship 11 in Prague.
The positive note was a four goal haul by Surbiton striker Alan Forsyth, but the Scotland coach was far from pleased by a sluggish  performance against a side well below the Scots in the world rankings.   The post-match interview with coach Derek Forsyth proved curt and what was left unsaid perhaps reflected his real thoughts on the occasion.
“All I want to say about today`s match against Croatia is that we won 6-0,” was all Forsyth was prepared to say as he watched his charges struggle to find any real form against a very poor side.
However Derek Forsyth`s charges moved into second spot on goal difference after Poland beat Ukraine 3-0 in the other pool match, the Scots must now beat, or at worst share the points, against the latter in tomorrow`s final pool match to reach the crucial semi-final stages.
The Scots go off to the best of starts with a goal in only two minutes, made and finished by Alan Forsyth, he waltzed along ther bye-line and craftily slipped the ball past the goalkeeper.   The next 20 minutes were tedious, the Scots seemed to have no real idea of how to break down a packed Croatian defence and the expected goal avalanche failed to happen.
The drinks break seemed to refresh the Scots with two goals inside three minutes, the first was created by Hamish Imrie who fed the ball on to Forsyth who turned and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.   The next came from a penalty corner which was swept home by Hillhead`s Wei Adams.
Further chances fell to Gavin Byers, Michael Bremner and Forsyth who launched his effort well over the bar, but it remained 3-0 at the interval.
The Scots made a slow start to the second half with a half chance to Nicky Parkes and a wasted penalty corner.  But the fourth goal finally came through the tenacity of Byers, the Grove Menzieshill player robbed a defender and fed the ball on to an unmarked Forsyth whose shot went in off the goalkeeper for his hat-trick.
It was now all Scotland but the tally did not reflect their total domination until Bremner beat three defenders to win another penalty corner, Dan Coultas found the net with a low drag flick.    There were further opportunities to Kenny Bain and Forsyth but both sailed well over the bar.
Quick thinking by Callum Duke provided the sixth, his free hit went directly to Forsyth and the striker found the far corner of the net with a fierce low shot.   A final chance emerged with six minutes left, a Coultas set piece shot rebounded off the goalkeeper but Imrie`s second phase effort went wide of the target.

 

Scotland`s promotion aspirations are still in tact after a 6-0 crushing of Croatia in the second pool match at the European Nations Championship II in Prague earlier today.

The positive note was a four goal haul by Surbiton striker Alan Forsyth, but Scotland head coach Derek Forsyth was far from pleased by a sluggish performance against a side well below the Scots in the world rankings.

The post-match interview with Forsyth proved curt and what was left unsaid perhaps reflected his real thoughts on the occasion,

“All I want to say about today`s match against Croatia is that we won 6-0,” was his short summary of the match as he watched his charges struggle to find any real form against a very poor side.

However the Scots moved into second spot on goal difference after Poland beat Ukraine 3-0 in the other pool match. The national side must now beat, or at worst share the points, against the latter in Wednesday`s final pool match to reach the crucial semi-final stages.

The Scots go off to the best of starts with a goal in only two minutes, made and finished by Alan Forsyth, he waltzed along the bye-line and craftily slipped the ball past the goalkeeper.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cro-0516

(Scotland striker Alan Forsyth bagged four goals against Croatia)

The next 20 minutes were tedious, as the Scots struggled to break down a packed Croatian defence and the expected goal avalanche failed to happen.

The drinks break seemed to refresh the Blue Sticks with two goals inside three minutes, the first was created by Hamish Imrie who fed the ball on to Forsyth who turned and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper.   The next came from a penalty corner which was swept home by Canterbury’s Wei Adams.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cro-0215

(Wei to go! Wei Adams and Callum Duke celebrate the former’s penalty corner strike)

Further chances fell to Gavin Byers, Michael Bremner and Forsyth who launched his effort well over the bar, but it remained 3-0 at the interval.

Scotland made a slow start to the second half with a half chance to Nicky Parkes and a wasted penalty corner.  But the fourth goal finally came through the tenacity of Byers, the Grove Menzieshill player robbed a defender and fed the ball on to an unmarked Forsyth whose shot went in off the goalkeeper for his hat-trick.

It was now all Scotland but the tally did not reflect their total domination until Bremner beat three defenders to win another penalty corner, Dan Coultas finding the net with a low drag flick.    There were further opportunities to Kenny Bain and Forsyth but both sailed well over the bar.

EuroHockey-Sco-Cro-0593

(Dan Coultas lines up his penalty corner strike)

Quick thinking by Callum Duke provided the sixth, his free hit went directly to Forsyth and the striker found the far corner of the net with a fierce low shot.

A final chance emerged with six minutes left, a Coultas set piece shot rebounded off the goalkeeper but Imrie`s second phase effort went wide of the target.

Please visit the EuroHockey Nations Championship II website for fixtures, results and pool standings.

(Words Craig Madden, Photo Credits Petr Toman)

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