Playing for selection at Auchenhowie

INTERNATIONAL TEST MATCHES V IRELAND (WOMEN) –
AUCHENHOWIE  07-09 SEPTEMBER 2012

The three test matches against Ireland this weekend at
Auchenhowie might be more of a selection process than previously
thought, coach Gordon Shepherd was not over-impressed with his
charges` performance in the recent first round of the World League
in Prague, so changes may be in the offing.

“The aims of the games against Ireland are to assist with the
final selection for the Champions Challenge in Dublin,” said
Shepherd.   Perhaps that has an ominous ring about it,
but more ominous was his follow-up remark.   “There were
a number of experienced players who did not perform in Prague, and
for that reason there will be changes to the squad for the
Champions Challenge.”

There were a positives for Shepherd to mull over from the World
League – the 12 goals against Turkey and was that a record for the
Scotland women`s team, the battling display against Belarus and the
first half of the Czech game – but there were concerning negatives
as the coach considered that performances were not good enough
during the rest of the tournament.

Despite scoring a total of 23 goals in the five games in Prague,
the Scots finished third behind Belarus and Italy on goal
difference, and it is clear that Shepherd`s strikeforce should have
taken more of the chances on offer against lower ranked
opposition.   

But the number of chances against the world number 15 at
Auchenhowie will be much more scarce, and so the ability to take
chances against Ireland could a ticket to selection for the
Champions Challenge. 

Shepherd brought up another issue from the World
League.   “I think a factor was that with four teams
qualifying from Prague to the second round led to a level of
complacency as everybody knew we were going to
qualify.”    

In the light of Shepherd`s comments, complacency is unlikely to
be a problem at Auchenhowie.

Shepherd has picked a squad of 23 players for the three games,
and new blood is certainly in evidence.   Under 21
players Ali Howie, Nicola Skrastin, Kerry Hall, Sarah Robertson and
keeper Nicki Cochrane are included along with other newcomers Nikki
Lloyd, Aileen Davis and Susan McGilivray.    The
competition could be intense as the 23 has to be reduced to 18 for
Dublin.

In recent years the Scots have a good record against the Irish,
despite the latter being four placed above in the world rankings,
the latest confrontation was in the Celtic Cup in June where the
Scots came out on top 2-1, Ali Bell and Ailsa Wyllie from a penalty
corner getting the goals.


Matches:


7th September Scotland v Ireland

8th September Scotland v Ireland

9th September Scotland v Irelan

7th September Scotland v Ireland, 19.30

8th September Scotland v Ireland, 14.00

9th September Scotland v Ireland, 14.00

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