Hockey – World League 1, National Hockey Centre

Wales beat Scotland to win World League 1 in Glasgow

Against the form book, Scotland men lost their final game of World League 1 in Glasgow 3-2 to Wales on Sunday. The result means that Wales won the World League 1 Tournament in Glasgow with both teams qualifying for World League 2. Scotland had topped the group on goal difference, scoring an incredible 25 goals in their three previous games – including their 9-0 win against Portugal on Saturday – while conceding none.

Wales opened the scoring after just two minutes through a Gareth Furlong penalty corner. The injection was perfect for Furlong to slam the ball low to the ‘keeper’s right and into the net for 1-0. Three minutes later and the Welsh doubled their lead with a carbon copy of their first, again Furlong dispatching low into the net from a penalty corner to go 2-0 ahead.

Scotland had a mountain to climb. With two goals, Wales were looking comfortable, the Scots would have to step up a gear. As the half progressed so did Scotland’s hopes. Kenny Bain slid in at the far post to pull a goal back in the 13^th minute after some good work on the right by Nick Parkes for 2-1.

Scotland enjoyed a period of pressure but it was Wales who scored next. On the break some good work on the right by Benjamin Francis found Dale Hutchinson in the D to flash a reverse stick shot into the net for 3-1 with just over 10 minutes of the half to play.

Scotland stepped up the pace in the second half in search of goals but they found Wales difficult to break down. Scotland then survived two penalty corner scares. The dangerous Gareth Furlong had two efforts – the first was well saved by David Forrester and the second zipped just wide of the post.

Still Scotland pressed as Alan Forsyth drove forward and had a hard shot well saved by David Kettle. Forsyth wouldn’t be denied for long. He forced the ball home from close range after some excellent running down the right by Hamish Imrie, his pull-back from the line being deflected by the ‘keeper, but Forsyth found the net in the ensuing scramble to make it 3-2 on 53 minutes.

In a fairly fractious match, several cards were produced and the umpires had to ‘have a word’ with the two captains to try to calm things down.

Late Scottish pressure couldn’t produce an equalising goal and Wales held out to win the game 3-2, and win World League 1 in Glasgow.

Despite coming second in the table, Scotland – along with Wales – now qualify for World League 2 in Dublin next March.

Earlier in the day, Switzerland overcame Slovakia 8-0 for only their second win in the event – their first coming against Portugal – with seven different players on the score sheet, only Jan Hödle netting twice.

Images from the match will appear here over the next few days.