Scots slip to opening day defeat against Azerbaijan

EuroHockey Nations Championship II: Scotland 0-3 Azerbaijan (Butt Vagas 24′, 67′, Khalid Muhammad 51′)

Scotland Senior Men slipped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Azerbaijan in the opening game of the EuroHockey Nations Championship II in Vienna today.

Two goals from Ahmed Butt Vagas and a single strike from Saleem Khalid Muhammad resigned the Scots to a loss that now increases the pressure on the results required in the games against France tomorrow and Wales on Thursday. The French recorded a 7-2 win over Wales earlier in the day.

Following the match, Scotland Team Manager Eugene Connolly said, “We were on top for the early stages but we did not take advantage of our superiority and the early chances presented to us in front of goal.

“Azerbaijan then scored and we were chasing the game from there. We actually controlled much of the game but missed chances and a penalty stroke.”

William Marshall Euros vs AZE

(Scotland’s William Marshall contests the ball. Credit: Herbert Kratky)

Callum Duke Euros AZE

(Callum Duke averts the attention of two defenders. Credit: Herbert Kratky)

After a close opening period to the match, it was Azerbaijan who opened the scoring in the 25th minute through a Ahmed Butt Vagas penalty corner to leave the national side trailing 1-0.

The Scots could have restored parity just before half-time but David Forsyth missed the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot.

Wei Adams Euros AZE

(Wei Adams in action against Azerbaijan today. Credit: Herbert Kratky)

The Scots found themselves two down in the 51st minute when Saleem Khalid Muhammad beat Scotland goalkeeper Jamie Cachia to find the back of the net.

Azerbaijan killed off the contest three minutes from time when Butt Vagas notched his second goal of the game, again from a penalty corner set-piece to leave the final score 3-0.

Scotland will play France tomorrow at 16.00 BST in what will be a crucial match in their attempts to reach the semi-finals.

Scotland Men: Jamie Cachia (Sheffield Hallam), Graham Moodie (Edinburgh University), Paul Martin (Grove Menzieshill), Alan Forsyth (Surbiton), Russell Anderson (Brooklands), Ian Moodie (Western Wildcats), Chris Nelson (Glynhill Hotel Kelburne), Kenny Bain (THC Hurley), William Marshall (Glynhill Hotel Kelburne), Iain Scholefield (Qui Vive), Wei Adams (Royal Penguins), Callum Duke (Edinburgh University), Ross Stott (Grove Menzieshill), Chris Grassick (Surbiton), Gavin Byers (Grove Menzieshill), Nick Parkes (Surbiton), David Forsyth (Qui Vive).

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

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