Scotland’s European promotion dream ended in penalty shoot-out

Scotland`s promotion dream ended in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, after a well-deserved 1-1 draw with Austria in normal time at the semi-final of the European Nations Championships 11 in Prague, the Scots cause foundered on a 3-1 reversal in the concluding penalties.
This was an extremely disappointing denouement for coach Derek Forsyth as the Scots were the better team throughout the game and gave the Austrians, a side five places above them in the world rankings, a real run for their money.
The Scots were always under pressure in the penalty shoot-out as both Gordon McIntyre and Kenny Bain put their opening efforts wide of the target, a blink of hope emerged when captain Chris Grassick scored then goalkeeper Jamie Cachie made a great block to deny the Austrians. But it was not to be Scotland`s day as teenager Hamish Imrie also missed the target, leaving Derek Forsyth`s charges crestfallen.
“I`m very proud of the boys, they put in a great effort over the whole, but we didn`t get the rub of the green and our promotion dream vanished,” said a very disappointed Derek Forsyth.
Luck was certainly not on the Scots side as two early incidents had an impact on the proceedings.  Firstly, defender and penalty corner expert Dan Coultas had to leave the field following an ankle injury after only two minutes, this required some tactical adjustments so early in the contest.
Then the Scots had the ball in the net, Imrie`s lifted cross eluded the entire Austrian defence and Wei Adams batted the ball into the unguarded net only for the umpire to mysteriously disallow the strike after consultation with his colleague.
Forsyth`s charges were the more adventurous side in the opening exchanges and could easily have taken the lead.   In a succession of chances Grassick fired straight at the goalkeeper, Adams` penalty corner effort was blocked by a defender, Imrie had a couple of half-chances and a solo run by Alan Forsyth ended with a snap shot that sailed over the bar.
The Austrians then came more into the contest, Cachia had to make a couple of crucial saves while Scotland conceded two penalty corners which fortunately came to nothing, and the first half finished goalless.
Within two minutes of the restart Austria took the lead at a penalty corner, the initial shot was blocked but Alexander Bele forced the ball home.
The Austrians now seemed content to sit back on their slender lead allowing the Scots to take control of proceedings.    The Scots did not help their cause by wasting a couple of penalty corner opportunities.   But midway through the half Scotland deservedly levelled the game at another penalty corner, this time Bain sent in a fierce drag flick which left the Austrian goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
The Scots now pressed for the winner they certainly merited, they were awarded two late set pieces but this time the goalkeeper blocked Bain`s goalbound efforts.Scot

 

Scotland’s European promotion dream was ended in dramatic fashion against Austria today, the Scots on the receiving end of a 3-1 reversal in a penalty-shoot after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time in the semi-final of the EuroHockey Nations Championship II.

This was an extremely disappointing denouement for coach Derek Forsyth as the Scots were the better team throughout the game and gave the Austrians, a side five places above them in the world rankings, a real run for their money.

The Scots were always under pressure in the penalty shoot-out as both Gordon McIntyre and Kenny Bain put their opening efforts wide of the target, a blink of hope emerged when captain Chris Grassick scored then goalkeeper Jamie Cachie made a great block to deny the Austrians. But it was not to be Scotland`s day as teenager Hamish Imrie also missed the target, leaving Derek Forsyth`s charges crestfallen.

EuroHockey-Aus-Sco-2156

(A dejected Jamie Cachia can only ponder what might have been after Austria’s winning penalty)

“I`m very proud of the boys, they put in a great effort over the whole, but we didn`t get the rub of the green and our promotion dream vanished,” said a very disappointed Derek Forsyth.

Luck was certainly not on the Scots side as two early incidents had an impact on the proceedings.  Firstly, defender and penalty corner expert Dan Coultas had to leave the field following an ankle injury after only two minutes, this required some tactical adjustments so early in the contest.

Then the Scots had the ball in the net, Imrie`s lifted cross eluded the entire Austrian defence and Wei Adams batted the ball into the unguarded net only for the umpire to mysteriously disallow the strike after consultation with his colleague.

EuroHockey-Aus-Sco-1913

(Wei Adams had a seemingly good goal ruled out by the two umpires at the end of the first half)

Forsyth`s charges were the more adventurous side in the opening exchanges and could easily have taken the lead.   In a succession of chances Grassick fired straight at the goalkeeper, Adams` penalty corner effort was blocked by a defender, Imrie had a couple of half-chances and a solo run by Alan Forsyth ended with a snap shot that sailed over the bar.

The Austrians then came more into the contest, Cachia had to make a couple of crucial saves while Scotland conceded two penalty corners which fortunately came to nothing, and the first half finished goalless.

Within two minutes of the restart Austria took the lead at a penalty corner, the initial shot was blocked but Alexander Bele forced the ball home.

The Austrians now seemed content to sit back on their slender lead allowing the Scots to take control of proceedings.    The Scots did not help their cause by wasting a couple of penalty corner opportunities.

But midway through the half Scotland deservedly levelled the game at another penalty corner, this time Bain sent in a fierce drag flick which left the Austrian goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

EuroHockey-Aus-Sco-1837

(Striker Kenny Bain fires Scotland level against Austria)

The Scots now pressed for the winner they certainly merited, they were awarded two late set pieces but this time the goalkeeper blocked Bain`s goalbound efforts.

Please visit the EuroHockey Nations Championship II website for fixtures, results and pool standings.

(Words Craig Madden, Photo Credits Petr Toman)

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