Scots ready to face Champions Challenge
Scotland Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd has revealed the squad of
eighteen players for the FIH Champions Challenge competition taking
place in Dublin, Ireland from 29 September-7 October.
The Scots claimed a bronze medal in last year’s FIH Champions
Challenge and eleven members of that squad will travel back to
Dublin for participation in this season’s competition. Shepherd has
elevated a number of U21 players to the senior squad since then,
whilst new faces have forced their way into the Dundonian’s
plans.
“I’ve been delighted with all the under 21 players who have made
the step up to the senior squad and they have made a real
impression this summer”, said Shepherd.
“The likes of Aileen Davis, Susan McGilveray and Nikki Lloyd have
also successfully demonstrated their cases for inclusion in the
squad after excellent performances. They should all be happy with
their selection.”
This year, Scotland will face hosts Ireland, South Africa and USA
in Pool A, whilst Australia, Belgium, India and Wales make up the
remainder of the competing teams in Pool B.
Assessing the opposition the Scots will face in the Pool stage,
Shepherd said, “The most important target is to retain our place in
this competition, which means finishing in the top six. I’m
confident we can beat Ireland, and in a one-off match, the result
against South Africa could go either way. The Americans have made a
number of changes since London 2012 and they will present a tough
opening match for us in Dublin.”
Indeed, Shepherd will have recent international matches against
Ireland and South Africa to reflect upon as he plots his side’s way
through the competition. The Scots edged out the Irish 2-1 in a
three match series at Auchenhowie in early September, but will
expect a tough examination from the South Africans, who defeated
the national side 4-0 in a five match series at Clydesdale as part
of their preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Having lost out 3-0 to USA at the semi-final stage of last year’s
Champions Challenge, Scotland will also be wary of the threat posed
from the Americans to their progress. Although the USA finished
last in the Olympic Games hockey competition this summer, they can
still be regarded amongst the favourites to reach the latter
stages.
Edinburgh University’s Nikki Kidd will win her 100th international
cap for Scotland during the competition, whilst Surbiton’s Becky
Merchant and Giffnock’s Kareena Marshall are both in line to reach
the 50th cap milestone.
“Nikki Kidd has been a fantastic asset to the national side since
she moved into the midfield position. She’s become a real threat
from short corner set plays and I’m delighted with her
contribution. Reaching 100 caps is an amazing achievement and she
should be proud.” said Shepherd.
Scotland Women: Nicki Cochrane, Ali Bell, Linda Clement (c), Leigh
Fawcett, Ailsa Wyllie (all Grove Menzieshill), Catriona Ralph,
Susan McGilveray, Nicola Skrastin, Amy Gibson, Morag McLellan (all
Milne Craig Clydesdale Western), Samantha Judge, Sarah Robertson,
Nikki Kidd (all Edinburgh University), Vikki Bunce (VWS Dundee
Wanderers), Kareena Marshall (Giffnock), Becky Merchant (Surbiton
HC), Aileen Davis (Clifton HC), Nikki Lloyd (Sevenoaks HC).
Scotland Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd has revealed
the squad of eighteen players for the FIH Champions Challenge
competition taking place in Dublin, Ireland from 29 September-7
October.
The Scots claimed a bronze medal in last year’s FIH Champions
Challenge and eleven members of that squad will travel back to
Dublin for participation in this season’s competition. Shepherd has
elevated a number of U21 players to the senior squad since then,
whilst new faces have forced their way into the Dundonian’s
plans.
“I’ve been delighted with all the under 21 players who have made
the step up to the senior squad and they have made a real
impression this summer”, said Shepherd.
“The likes of Aileen Davis, Susan McGilveray and Nikki Lloyd
have also successfully demonstrated their cases for inclusion in
the squad after excellent performances. They should all be happy
with their selection.”
This year, Scotland will face hosts Ireland, South Africa and
USA in Pool A, whilst Australia, Belgium, India and Wales make up
the remainder of the competing teams in Pool B.
Assessing the opposition the Scots will face in the Pool stage,
Shepherd said, “The most important target is to retain our place in
this competition, which means finishing in the top six. I’m
confident we can beat Ireland, and in a one-off match, the result
against South Africa could go either way. The Americans have made a
number of changes since London 2012 and they will present a tough
opening match for us in Dublin.”
Indeed, Shepherd will have recent international matches against
Ireland and South Africa to reflect upon as he plots his side’s way
through the competition. The Scots edged out the Irish 2-1 in a
three match series at Auchenhowie in early September, but will
expect a tough examination from the South Africans, who defeated
the national side 4-0 in a five match series at Clydesdale as part
of their preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Having lost out 3-0 to USA at the semi-final stage of last
year’s Champions Challenge, Scotland will also be wary of the
threat posed from the Americans to their progress. Although the USA
finished last in the Olympic Games hockey competition this summer,
they can still be regarded amongst the favourites to reach the
latter stages.
Edinburgh University’s Nikki Kidd will win her 100th
international cap for Scotland during the competition, whilst
Surbiton’s Becky Merchant and Giffnock’s Kareena Marshall are both
in line to reach the 50th cap milestone.
“Nikki Kidd has been a fantastic asset to the national side
since she moved into the midfield position. She’s become a real
threat from short corner set plays and I’m delighted with her
contribution. Reaching 100 caps is an amazing achievement and she
should be proud.” said Shepherd.
Scotland Women: Nicki Cochrane, Ali Bell, Linda
Clement (c), Leigh Fawcett, Ailsa Wyllie (all Grove Menzieshill),
Catriona Ralph, Susan McGilveray, Nicola Skrastin, Amy Gibson,
Morag McLellan (all Milne Craig Clydesdale Western), Samantha
Judge, Sarah Robertson, Nikki Kidd (all Edinburgh University),
Vikki Bunce (VWS Dundee Wanderers), Kareena Marshall (Giffnock),
Becky Merchant (Surbiton HC), Aileen Davis (Clifton HC), Nikki
Lloyd (Sevenoaks HC).
Please visit the FIH Champions Challenge website for more info
on match schedule, results and news.
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