Victory for Scotland men to book semi-final spot in Muscat

Scotland 3-2 USA

A well-earned 3-2 victory over USA saw Scotland men progress to the FIH Nations Cup 2 semi-finals in Muscat, Oman. The victory came courtesy of a Struan Walker double and a Jamie Golden penalty corner.

It was a lightning start by Scotland who immediately went on the hunt for goals. They wouldn’t wait long, and the opener came courtesy of a Struan Walker candidate for goal of the tournament. Walker took a bouncing ball first time to lob the keeper for 1-0.

The relentless start by the Scots soon brought a second goal. From a penalty corner, well won by Keir Robb, Jamie Golden hammered a drag flick into the top left corner for 2-0.

USA struck back early in the second quarter, and it was a drag flick into the left corner by Sekayi Charisika that pulled it back to 2-1.

Scotland went a man down when Callum Mackenzie was shown a yellow, and the Americans took control of the game. It didn’t stop Scotland threatening on the counter; first a fleeting attack saw Robb come close with the keeper isolated, before David Nairn dived in to send his effort wide a short time later.

The USA equaliser came right before half time and it was Charasika again who fired a drag flick into the roof of the net for 2-2.

Like the first half, Scotland came out to attack from the whistle in the second. They nearly scored when Walker set up Golden to slide in at the far post, but the American goalkeeper Jonathan Klages, blocked well and the danger was cleared.

Golden was denied by Klages again when a goal bound drag flick was superbly saved at the top right corner.

Early final quarter, Scotland took the lead for a second time. An attack down the left ended when Walker smashed the ball low against the backboard on the back hand. 3-2.

From then on Scotland looked comfortable and managed the game well to win the contest and book a slot in the semi-final.

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