Scotland beat New Zealand at Women’s Junior World Cup

Scotland 2(3)-2(2) New Zealand

A tremendous 3-2 shootout victory after a well-earned 2-2 draw saw Scotland defeat New Zealand in the Women’s Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile. Scotland now enter the 17th place play-off on Friday for the Challenger Trophy.

Scotland got off to a great start in the contest. A solid opening led to the game’s first chance, which fell to Cara Falconer. A swift attack down the right led to the ball being switched to Falconer on the left of the circle, but her powerful shot on the reverse was well saved.

Then there were two sensational goals in a minute for Scotland. First at a penalty corner, a slip to injector Mhairi Low saw her blast the ball into the roof of the net for her fifth goal of the tournament. 1-0

Moments later Marianna Maclean burst forward on a break down the left after Riley Thomson won the ball, and Maclean picked out Cat Nelli to finish clinically for 2-0.

The second quarter saw New Zealand enjoy lots of the pressure but the Scots were comfortable and kept the danger under control to end the first half with a two goal advantage.

Midway in the third quarter the New Zealand pressure paid off. A well-worked penalty corner routine saw converted at the far post by Niamh McKenzie for 2-1.

After the New Zealand goal Scotland began to enjoy possession of the ball, and took control of the game to see the quarter out in the lead.

New Zealand bagged an equaliser midway in the final quarter and it was a powerful drag flick from Riana Pho that found the net for 2-2.

There were no further goals and the match went to a nail-biting shootout. Connie Roxburgh, Low, and Ava Wadsworth all found the net to give Scotland a historic 3-2 win in the shootout.

Player of the Match, Marianna Maclean, said, “It was a tough match; we went two up and New Zealand did well to pull it back to a draw. We fought to the end and had chances to win, but it was great to win on penalties.”

 

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