Heartache for Scotland in Rio

Scotland missed out on qualification for Round 3 for the FIH World League
Goals from Vikki Bunce and Nikki Kidd had brought Scotland back from two goals down against the Chileans. But a 2-2 draw at full-time meant that Chile progressed having won more games than Scotland in the competition overall.
Scotland won the resulting penalty shoot-out 3-2 to take two bonus points but it is USA and Chile who qualify for the next round.
Prior to the game there were presentations to Linda Clement and Vikki Bunce for their 200th and 150th international caps respectively, both fantastic achievements.
The game opened brightly with chances at both ends and Nikki Kidd had a good effort saved by the goalkeeper, while Chile had two shots just wide of the target. A good flowing move between Kidd and Sam Judge in the circle led to the Edinburgh University striker’s reverse stick shot narrowly missing the outstretched stick of Clement.
In the 10th minute, the Scots won their first penalty corner through the persistence of Ali Howie, but Catriona Ralph`s strike was saved on the line by a defender.   Gordon Shepherd`s charges played with plenty of character but they just could not find the net.
It was therefore a cruel blow when the Chileans took the lead five minutes from the interval. At their first penalty corner Camila Caram fired a powerful low strike that was just too strong for Amy Gibson in the Scotland goal. The Scots finished the half the stronger side and a couple of chances were created but the danger was cleared by the composed Chilean defence to leave the national side 1-0 down at half time.
Shortly after the interval, Scotland were left with a mountain to climb by the clinical finishing of the Chileans. Paula Infante went on a solo run and Agustina Venegas deflected her shot past Gibson for the second goal.
The Scots through caution to the wind after this setback and pulled one back in the 50th minute; a pass from the right by Linda Clement found Kidd in space and she lashed the ball into the roof of the net.
The game opened out and there were penalty corner chances at both end as the minutes ticked away.  But with three minutes left Scotland won a further penalty corner through the tenacity of Nicola Skrastin, and in the resulting set piece Kidd drove a low flick into the bottom corner of the net for the equaliser.
Shepherd then went for a last throw of the dice by replacing keeper Gibson with an additional outfield player, but the Chileans calmly played out the final three minutes. The Scot won an additional point in the resulting penalty shoot-out – Kidd, Bunce and Kareena Marshall were on target – a result that guaranteed Scotland third place in the final rankings.

Scotland missed out on qualification for Round 3 for the FIH World League after today’s 2-2 draw with Chile in Rio.

Two goals from Nikki Kidd had brought Scotland back from two goals down against the Chileans. But a 2-2 draw at full-time meant that Chile progressed having won more games than Scotland in the competition overall.

Scotland won the resulting penalty shoot-out 3-2 to take two bonus points but it is USA and Chile who qualify for the next round.

Prior to the game there were presentations to Linda Clement and Vikki Bunce for their 200th and 150th international caps respectively, both fantastic achievements.

Linda Clement vs. Chile FIHWLR2

(Scotland captain Linda Clement won her 200th cap against Chile, credit: Pedro Montiero)

The game opened brightly with chances at both ends and Nikki Kidd had a good effort saved by the goalkeeper, while Chile had two shots just wide of the target. A good flowing move between Kidd and Sam Judge in the circle led to the Edinburgh University striker’s reverse stick shot narrowly missing the outstretched stick of Clement.

In the 10th minute, the Scots won their first penalty corner through the persistence of Ali Howie, but Catriona Ralph`s strike was saved on the line by a defender.   Gordon Shepherd`s charges played with plenty of character but they just could not find the net.

It was therefore a cruel blow when the Chileans took the lead five minutes from the interval. At their first penalty corner Camila Caram fired a powerful low strike that was just too strong for Amy Gibson in the Scotland goal. The Scots finished the half the stronger side and a couple of chances were created but the danger was cleared by the composed Chilean defence to leave the national side 1-0 down at half time.

Shortly after the interval, Scotland were left with a mountain to climb by the clinical finishing of the Chileans. Paula Infante went on a solo run and Agustina Venegas deflected her shot past Gibson for the second goal.

The Scots through caution to the wind after this setback and pulled one back in the 50th minute; a pass from the right by Linda Clement found Kidd  in space and she lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Vikki Bunce vs. Chile FIHWLR2

(Scotland star Vikki Bunce won her 150th cap against Chile, credit: Pedro Montiero)

The game opened out and there were penalty corner chances at both end as the minutes ticked away.  But with three minutes left Scotland won a further penalty corner through the tenacity of Nicola Skrastin, and in the resulting set piece Kidd drove a low flick into the bottom corner of the net for the equaliser.

Shepherd then went for a last throw of the dice by replacing keeper Gibson with an additional outfield player, but the Chileans calmly played out the final three minutes.

The Scot won an additional point in the resulting penalty shoot-out – Kidd, Bunce and Kareena Marshall were on target – a result that guaranteed Scotland third place in the final rankings.

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

 

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