Portugal loss rubs salt in Scottish wounds

A narrow 5-4 defeat by hosts Portugal resigned Scotland Senior Men to finishing bottom of the EuroHockey Indoor Championship II competition.

With relegation already confirmed for the Scots, the match carried far more significance for the Portuguese, with the win sealing their place in the division in two years time.

The home side hared into a 2-0 lead inside four minutes courtesy of field goals from David Franco and Bruno Santos.

However, Patrick Christie’s strike and a Dan Coultas penalty corner had the national side back on parity within five minutes.

Following a lengthy delay in proceedings caused by the mopping up of spilt blood, Carlos Silva stepped up to rifle the ball into the bottom corner of the net to give Portugal a 3-2 half-time lead.

A second Franco field goal in the 26th minute extended the advantage to 4-2, only for Stephen Dick to net the first of his two goals a minute later.

Santos’ 33rd minute goal restored the two goal margin at 5-3, with Dick reducing the deficit once again shortly after from open play.

A tense finale ensued but it was Portugal who hung on for a vital 5-4 win, leaving Scotland to reflect on what has been a difficult three days.

Please visit the EuroHockey Indoor Nations Championship II website for all results and pool standings.

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