Scotland’s women take one point from opening games in Dublin

Scotland Women in DublinScotland’s women’s team has drawn with Chile and lost to Ireland in their first two games of a 4-Nations tournament at the Merrion Fleet Arena in Dublin. Their next game sees them take on Belgium today and a victory would see them finish second in the pool, and in a good position for the business end of the tournament.

The opening game of the 4-Nations was a difficult one for Scotland as they went toe-to-toe with host nation Ireland. The game saw Scotland’s Mairi Drummond make her debut, taking her place in the starting line-up for her country. The first half was a very competitive affair with neither side able to turn their play into goals. Ireland had more pressure than the Scots but some outstanding saves from Nicki Cochrane in the Scotland goal kept the score level at half time, including an excellent save from a penalty flick.

The second half was disappointing for Scotland as they struggled to keep possession and Ireland took their chances well. Early in the second half Ireland took the lead through an Anna O’Flanagan goal from a penalty corner. O’Flanagan scored again on 53 minutes to extend Ireland’s lead. Megan Frazer scored next for the Irish on the hour mark to take the game out of reach for the Scots. With the clock ticking down a yellow card for Merchant and a penalty flick for Ireland allowed Frazer to score again and make it 4-0. Scotland issued a late reply through Merchant from a penalty stroke to make a final score of 4-1 to Ireland. The goal came after Charlotte Watson was taken down in the circle after a good attacking run.

Despite the result the game was an excellent experience for debutant Mairi Drummond, who said: “It was an absolute thrill standing in the line-up and singing the national anthem, especially as we had home support in the crowd. I absolutely loved performing at an international standard of hockey, and playing a side that were presenting new challenges to me on the pitch.”

Scotland w v Chile DublinScotland’s next game saw them take on Chile and offer a vastly improved performance. Scotland had an early chance for Watson after a great cross from Jennifer Eadie. Chile had chances but good defence and some fine saves from Cochrane kept them at bay.

Regardless, it was a first half laden with goals. Scotland shot off to a two goal advantage with Merchant converting a good strike on 16 minutes. The goal came after an excellent quick free hit from Becky Ward to Watson who laid the ball off to Merchant wide in the D. Merchant scored with a reverse stick strike high in to the net. Then Kaz Marshall added a second from a penalty corner on 23 minutes. The goal took an excellent deflection after a well worked short corner routine.

Scotland were hungry for more goals and some good runs from midfield by Nikki Lloyd and Heather Howie opened up a number of chances. Things were looking good for the Scots as they dominated for vast periods; that was until Chile managed to claw a goal back through Kim Jacob on 28 minutes. The Chileans equalised in the final minute of the first half when Carolina Garcia scored from open play. Neither side could take advantage in the second half and convert their chances to goals.

Scotland had good chances fall to Eadie, Howie, Watson and Merchant. Cochrane was once again in fine form pulling off some brilliant saves to keep the score level. Green cards were given to Katie Robertson and Fiona Bruce of Scotland, and Mariana Lagos of Chile. The tough encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, giving Scotland their first point of the tournament.

Becky Merchant said: “The disappointing first game against Ireland highlighted a number of areas we needed to improve but we always knew it was going to be tough. For well over half the team this is their first experience of a tournament at senior level and we have already shown that the team is made of quick learners with a vastly improved second game against Chile. There’s still a lot of room for improvement but this tournament provides the perfect opportunity for us to keep progressing and learning. It’s been a great trip so far and there is a real buzz about this team. There’s one more group game to go against Belgium then we go into the business end of the tournament.”

 

Scotland next play Belgium today at 5pm in their final group game in Dublin.

 

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