Goals galore in Lousada as Scotland men start with victory
Scotland men got off to a winning start at EuroHockey Championship II in Lousada with a 8-3 victory over Croatia.
It was Croatia who started the game quickly and bagged an early goal when they found the net with a near post finish by Andrej Zidanic. 1-0.
Scotland struck back quickly via a low drag flick by Struan Walker to equalise at 1-1.
The Blue Sticks ramped up the pressure and it led them to a second goal. Some quick build up was finished off by Rob Field in the centre of the circle with a powerful low effort for 2-1.
Very quickly later and it was 3-1 courtesy of a slick drag flick by Jamie Golden to give the Scots a two-goal cushion at the end of the first quarter.
Scotland’s goal scoring continued after the break. A stroke went the way of the Scots and it was dispatched into the bottom left corner by Walker to make it 4-1.
As the half reached its end the Scots were in cruise control with excellent possession and midfield control. It felt like more goals would follow.
Goal number five for Scotland arrived early in the second half when Golden swept home at the far post after a lovely passing move down the right. 5-1.
The next two goals, however, went to Croatia, and came in quick fire fashion. A drag flick found the net from Josip Krleza made it 5-2 before a powerful shot from the left made it 5-3, courtesy of Mario Ilinovic.
Andy McConnell blasted home from a penalty corner to restore a three-goal advantage to make it 6-3.
Scotland looked comfortable in the final quarter and it went to 7-3 when Walker bagged his hat trick with an unmarked finish, before sailing another drag flick into the top right corner for 8-3, and completing the victory.
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