Japan bounce back to square series with win over Scotland

Goals from Hazuki Nagai, Maho Segawa, and Mie Nakashima gave Japan a 3-1 win over Scotland Senior Women at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Kaz Marshall was the Scottish goalscorer.

Following yesterday’s win for the Scots, tonight’s result means the two match series finishes 1-1.

Minami Shimizu and Akane Shibata came close for the visitors within sixty seconds of the push-back, the former bringing a relatively easy block from Scotland ‘keeper Nicki Cochrane, while the latter just failed to find the target when sliding in at the back post.

In the seventh minute, a cross-field pass from Susan McGilveray enabled Amy Costello to fire in a dangerous cross that unfortunately evaded the Scottish attackers looking to connect inside the circle.

The first penalty corner opportunity fell to Japan in the 11th minute, but Mayumi Ono’s low shot was brilliantly blocked by Cochrane.

Shortly after, Cochrane was again the Scottish saviour, kicking away Hazuki Nagai’s attempt on the turn to keep the scores level at 0-0.

Japanese pressure was eventually rewarded seconds after the start of the second quarter, Nagai stepping up to dispatch a penalty stroke after she was floored by the Scottish defence.

Nevertheless, Scotland were soon back on level terms, captain Kaz Marshall responding with a penalty stroke of her own in the 17th minute after the away side were penalised for an infringement in the scoring circle.

A pass from Shibata released Miyuki Nakagawa into space on the right of the Scottish defence in the 21st minute, but her shot went harmlessly wide of the left hand post.

Another penalty corner award for Japan two minutes later again brought the best from Cochrane, diving low to her right to deny Nagai’s powerful strike on target.

However, the Edinburgh University ‘keeper was powerless to prevent Japan’s second goal, Segawa latching onto Nakagawa’s cross only a few yards out to make it 2-1 in the 29th minute.

In the 34th minute, Kana Nomura was allowed to get a shot away on the reverse, however Cochrane continued her courageous defence of the Scotland goal with another excellent block.

After a fairly uneventful third period, Japan almost extended their lead early in the fourth quarter after beautiful build-up play, only for Cochrane to act the spoiler yet again, blocking Nagai’s shot.

They didn’t have long to wait for their third goal though, Mie Nakashima coolly finishing with a well taken strike to make it 3-1 in the 49th minute.

Scotland were awarded a penalty corner in the 55th minute, but Robyn Collins’ reverse stick attempt went wide of the left hand upright.

Japan thought they had a fourth goal a minute later after Yuri Nagai bundled the ball home from close range, only for a foot to have played a part in the attacker’s movement.

The final piece of goalmouth action was a reverse stick shot from Minami Shimizu that sailed wide of Cochrane’s right hand post.

 

 

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