Marshall`s penalty winner against India

FIH CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE – QUARTER-FINAL

SCOTLAND  1 INDIA  1 (after extra
time)    SCOTLAND WON 3-1 (penalty
shoot-out)

Scotland again defied the odds as Gordon Shepherd`s
squad marched into the semi-finals of the FIH Champions Challenge
in Dublin by beating India 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out,
after the teams were locked into a 1-1 draw after extra
time.    Scotland, seven places below India in the
world rankings, are again in line for a medal to match the bronze
they won in this tournament at the same venue a year
ago.

Kaz Marshall vs. India CC1

The Scots were immediately under pressure in the penalty drama,
Nikki Kidd missed the opener and India then went one
up.   The tables quickly turned, Sam Judge and Vikki
Bunce both found the net while Amy Gibson played her part by
stopping India`s next two efforts to leave the Scots 2-1 up after
three.  Nikki Lloyd missed her opportunity after a retake, but
fortunately the Indians blazed their chance well over the
bar.   Scotland`s famous victory was confirmed when
Kareena Marshall rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the empty
net for the winner.

The first half of normal time was an error-strewn affair with
both sides content to give away possession.   The chances
were few and far between, Kidd missed an early opportunity, a cross
from Bunce evaded the sticks of both Lloyd and Sarah Robertson, and
then the latter missed a cross from Ali Bell.

The game opened out after the interval, Ailsa Wyllie won an
early penalty corner but Catriona Ralph`s strike was saved by the
Indian goalkeeper.   The Scots defence was in disarray
after a quick Indian break, Gibson saved the initial shot but Ralph
was forced into a stick chop to prevent a score, and Jaspreet Kaur
gave the keeper no chance with her spot effort.

Scotland retaliated, Lloyd put a shot wide of the left post,
Robertson had her strike blocked by the keeper, then Judge forced
the keeper into a brilliant double save.   Gordon
Shepherd`s charges finally got their reward in 22 minutes, a
pre-planned move at their second set piece saw Judge`s shot again
blocked, but from resulting corner a Robertson cross was met on the
run by Judge who volleyed the bouncing ball low into the net for
the equaliser.

Sam Judge vs. India CC1

The final few minutes of the half was full of tension, Gibson
had to make a couple of crucial saves, Vikki Bunce had a rest in
the sin-bin for five minutes, both Wyllie and Marshall had shots
blocked and Morag McLellan had to leave the field with a facial
injury.   With the final score at 1-1, extra time came
and went with little happening.

Scotland now face the winner of the quarter-final tie between
Australia and South Africa on Saturday for a place in Sunday`s
showpiece final.

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