Scotland stun China to reach semi-final

Scotland came to the quarter-finals of the Champions
Challenge in Lille as first underdogs but then caused a major shock
by beating tournament favourites China 2-1 to advance to Saturday`s
semi-final against France who beat Austria in a penalty shoot-out
after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

Russell Garcia`s charges, at 23rd in the international ladder,
made an impressive showing by seeing off a side placed nine places
above them. It would be a magnificent achievement if the Scots
could gain a medal in the closing fixtures, particularly following
the pool fixtures.

It all looked very ominous when China took an early lead as they
won a penalty corner and Yixian Liu beat Mark Fulton with a low
shot at his right hand post. The Scots were back on level terms
within two minutes with a devastating run up the left by Chris
Grassick, which won a set piece, and Dan Coultas sent a fierce low
shot past the outstretched stick of the Chinese goalkeeper, Yongbo
Yin.

The rest of the first half was a tight affair with the best
chance falling to Alan Forsyth but his shot from the top of the
circle was well saved by the Yin.

The Chinese wasted a couple of early opportunities after the
interval, then the Scots retaliated with Willie Marshall`s crucial
strike. Grassick was the provider again, with a powerful run up the
right to the by-line, his drop back pass was slotted home by
Marshall at the back post to put the Scots ahead for the first time
in the contest.

Fergus Dunn created the opening for John Harris to increase the
lead but the Inverleith striker squandered the opportunity. The
Chinese battled away in the closing 25 minutes to get back on level
terms, but they were continually frustrated by the defensive
combination of Graham Moodie, Coultas, Marshall and keeper Fulton.
With the final hooter and no further scoring, the Scots
celebrations started in earnest.

“The game went immediately sour when we found ourselves a goal
down, but the final victory against all the odds was sweet indeed.
Today we played as a coherent team, all the players worked their
socks off.  Perhaps this was not our best game ever, but it
was certainly our best ever effort,” remarked a delighted Eurgene
Connolly, Scotland`s manager.

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