Gibson the heroine for Scotland in penalty shoot-out win

Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson was the heroine against the USA after keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 penalty shoot-out win against the USA in the second round of the FIH World League Round 2 in Rio today.
Nikki Kidd`s shot in off the post opened the scoring for Scotland in the shoot-out but Sam Judge and Linda Clement failed to find the net as did the Americans, and the coup de gras was delivered by Vikki Bunce at the second attempt to put the Scots two up. When the Americans failed to score in their fourth attempt, the Scots earned a point for the draw and a crucial bonus point for the shoot-out victory.
Although Chile go to the top of the pool competition after beating Brazil 5-1 in an earlier game, that could be regarded as a false position as they have yet to play both USA and Scotland. But the Scots are now a point ahead of tournament favourites USA, and that could be a crucial advantage when it comes to deciding the top two teams to qualify for the third round.
The Scots could have opened their account in the first minute, a Bunce snap shot brought the best out of the American goalkeeper. Then Gordon Shepherd`s charges survived a couple of let-offs; Susan McGilveray gave the ball away but Torrie Albini`s shot fortunately cannoned off a post, then a penalty corner strike by Claire Laubach suffered a similar fate much to Amy Gibson`s relief.
Almost inevitably the Americans took the lead in 14 minutes;  they took a quick free hit and this time Albini deflected the ball past Gibson. There followed a period of American domination as the Scots failed to keep up with the pace of their attacks. Gradually the Scots pulled themselves back into the contest and Kidd was unlucky on two occasions to find the target.
Towards half time there were chances for both sides, Gibson had to look lively to prevent the Americans from increasing their lead, while at the other end Bunce had a shot saved by the keeper, to be followed by a brace of penalty corner efforts from Kidd just on the interval that again brought the American keeper into action.
The United States were the more adventurous side at the start of the second half, Gibson again was called on to make some crucial saves while the Rio heat seemed to slow the Scots down. But, under the positive encouragement of coach Gordon Shepherd, the Scots picked it up and drove down the pitch to win a penalty corner. Kidd`s initial direct strike illegally struck the foot of a defender on the line, and up stepped Kidd again to fire a low shot home from the spot for the equaliser a little against the run of play.
The tenth ranked team in the world then retaliated with commitment and not for the first time in the match Gibson in the Scotland goal was the barrier between them and regaining the lead. But in the closing ten minutes the Scots seemed to get a second wind and won a penalty corner through the tenacity of Linda Clement, but Bunce`s resulting shot was blocked. With only two minutes remaining Bunce`s persistence won another set piece and this time Kidd`s powerful drag flick was saved by the goalkeeper, and so the match finished in a share of the spoils.
Scotland are a good position with two games left, Shepherd`s charges should see off Uruguay tomorrow but the final game against Chile on Sunday could be the crucial for a place in the third round of the World League.

Scotland goalkeeper Amy Gibson was the heroine after keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 penalty shoot-out win against the USA in the FIH World League Round 2 today.

Amy Gibson vs. USAFIHWLR2

Nikki Kidd`s shot in off the post opened the scoring for Scotland in the shoot-out but Sam Judge and Linda Clement failed to find the net as did the Americans, and the coup de gras was delivered by Vikki Bunce at the second attempt to put the Scots two up.

When the Americans failed to score in their fourth attempt, the Scots earned a point for the draw and a crucial bonus point for the shoot-out victory.

Although Chile go to the top of the pool competition after beating Brazil 5-1 in an earlier game, that could be regarded as a false position as they have yet to play both USA and Scotland.

But the Scots are now a point ahead of tournament favourites USA, and that could be a crucial advantage when it comes to deciding the top two teams to qualify for the third round.

Nikki Kidd vs. USA FIHWLR2

The Scots could have opened their account in the first minute, a Bunce snap shot brought the best out of the American goalkeeper. Then Gordon Shepherd`s charges survived a couple of let-offs; Susan McGilveray gave the ball away but Torrie Albini`s shot fortunately cannoned off a post, then a penalty corner strike by Claire Laubach suffered a similar fate much to Amy Gibson`s relief.

Almost inevitably the Americans took the lead in 14 minutes;  they took a quick free hit and this time Albini deflected the ball past Gibson. There followed a period of American domination as the Scots failed to keep up with the pace of their attacks. Gradually the Scots pulled themselves back into the contest and Kidd was unlucky on two occasions to find the target.

Towards half time there were chances for both sides, Gibson had to look lively to prevent the Americans from increasing their lead, while at the other end Bunce had a shot saved by the keeper, to be followed by a brace of penalty corner efforts from Kidd just on the interval that again brought the American keeper into action.

The United States were the more adventurous side at the start of the second half, Gibson again was called on to make some crucial saves while the Rio heat seemed to slow the Scots down. But, under the positive encouragement of coach Gordon Shepherd, the Scots picked it up and drove down the pitch to win a penalty corner. Kidd`s initial direct strike illegally struck the foot of a defender on the line, and up stepped Kidd again to fire a low shot home from the spot for the equaliser a little against the run of play.

The tenth ranked team in the world then retaliated with commitment and not for the first time in the match Gibson in the Scotland goal was the barrier between them and regaining the lead. But in the closing ten minutes the Scots seemed to get a second wind and won a penalty corner through the tenacity of Linda Clement, but Bunce`s resulting shot was blocked. With only two minutes remaining Bunce`s persistence won another set piece and this time Kidd`s powerful drag flick was saved by the goalkeeper, and so the match finished in a share of the spoils.

Scotland are a good position with two games left, Shepherd`s charges should see off Uruguay tomorrow but the final game against Chile on Sunday could be the crucial for a place in the third round of the World League.

 

 

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