Scotland women fall short against New Zealand in Nations Cup

Scotland 1-3 New Zealand

Despite going a goal ahead and a strong performance Scotland women lost 3-1 to New Zealand at the FIH Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile. Charlotte Watson bagged Scotland’s goal who missed out on a spot in the semi-finals and will play in Saturday and Sunday’s 5th-8th place play-offs.

Scotland came out fast and looked menacing from the outset. A searching pass into the New Zealand circle saw Sarah Jamieson latch onto it, winning a penalty corner for a back stick. Amy Costello crashed the corner towards goal, and injector Charlotte Watson was on hand to convert the rebound from a tight angle for 1-0.

The strong start continued with Scotland fighting for everything and doing a good job of winning the ball high up the pitch, but the good pressure didn’t bring any further goals.

In the second quarter Scotland began by defending a penalty corner well. The chance spurred the team in black on and they began to fashion chances.

The equaliser eventually arrived when a penalty corner strike by Kaitlin Cotter slid into the bottom left corner for 1-1.

The second half began with a penalty corner opportunity for Scotland. The resulting Costello drive was well saved prompting a swift counter attack for the kiwis, who won a penalty corner of their own. Two attempts at goal later and Scotland survived.

Jess Ross almost put Scotland back in front from a penalty corner rebound but her powerful strike crashed against the crossbar and looped clear.

New Zealand weathered the Scottish storm and got through the third with the scores level.

It meant Scotland had to find a winner in the final quarter with goal difference enough to see New Zealand into the semi-finals.

They began well with Ellie Mackenzie winning the ball in a high press and picking out Heather McEwan, which stole in ahead of the defender to deflect the ball, but it went wide of the near post.

Next Watson was denied by a good save after some individual skill, twisting in from the right. It led to a penalty corner, and just as earlier in the contest, defence turned into attack and New Zealand won a corner up the other end. The resulting strike by Cotter was deflected into the roof of the net by Olivia Shannon to make it 2-1.

The goal was a hammer blow for Scotland who now needed to score twice to reach the semi-finals, and they took off their keeper for an extra outfield player to search for the goals.

New Zealand, however, took advantage of the empty net and made it 3-1 through Emma Findlay to claim the win.

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