Scots in Lousada

WORLD LEAGUE ROUND ONE

The first round of the World League in Lousada should
present no real problems for Scotland`s new coach Derek Forsyth,
but only if his charges play to their potential and avoid the trap
of complacency.  

The opposition in this single pool competition is Morocco,
Gibraltar and hosts Portugal, all well down the world rankings, and
finally Italy who are five places below the Scots.   The
top two sides qualify for the second round of the competition in
the new year, but pole position at the finish must be Forsyth`s
target.

“We`ve been lucky with the order of games, we play the poorest
sides first, and I would love to say we can take on our final game
against Italy playing for pride and the honour of that top spot,”
said Eugene Connolly, Scotland`s manager.

Although the results in the build-up games did not always show
it, Connolly maintained that the squad have come on considerably
under the coaching tutelage of Derek Forsyth over the last several
months.   “This is becoming very much Derek`s squad, he
has brought in several new players and is putting his own
individual stamp on the side,” said Connolly.

The return of Niall Stott to Scotland colours is a real bonus to
the cause, the veteran of 120 Scotland caps will bring his vast
experience and vigour to the side after months out vainly trying to
achieve selection to the Great Britain side for the London
Olympics.    “It`s good to have Niall back in the
side, I rate him as one of the best players in the land,” said
Connolly.

Sharpness in front of goal could be the key to Scotland`s
success in Lousada, and the onus here will fall mainly on strikers
Alan Forsyth, Kenny Bain and Fergus Dunn from open play along with
Dan Coultas from set pieces.     The late
withdrawal of Beeston`s Gordon McIntyre from the midfield is a
blow, he is replaced by fellow Anglo Russell Anderson who has now
fully recovered from a thumb injury sustained defending a penalty
corner against Poland a couple of months ago.   But there
is plenty of expertise in the midfield with the likes of Chris
Nelson, Iain Scholefield, Gareth Hall and Chris Grassick who should
be able to set up enough chances for the strikers to rattle in the
goals.

The Scots have their opening fixture tomorrow against Morocco,
and nothing less than a convincing win will do for Derek Forsyth as
the North Africans are a full 36 place below the Scots in the
international rankings.

 

PRESIDENTS CUP

Edinburgh University caused an upset by beating Grange 2-1 in a
pool B match in the Presidents Cup in a midweek game and the
students now stand a very good chance of making the
final.     Edinburgh still trail Grange by two
points at the top of the pool, but Grange are finished their
programme, while the University now only need to take the three
points from AMN Hillhead in their outstanding game  on
Saturday to clinch pole position.

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