Field hockey – Pressure on Forsyth to lift players

Scotland’s head coach Derek Forsyth must lift his players ahead of today’s (18.00) World League semi-final clash with high-flying Holland.

Forsyth’s men shocked India by taking a lead after only six minutes of their opening game in the London-based competition.

But India, ranked No 6 in the world, fired four unanswered goals in a nightmare third-quarter spell to win 4-1.

Holland are rated No 4 in the world and are the highest-ranked side in qualifying Pool B which also features Canada and Pakistan.

Forsyth said: “We got off to a great start (against India) and played really well throughout the first quarter, certainly defensively.

“At half-time we discussed being better on the ball and trying to cause a few new problems for India. “Unfortunately, we got off to a bad start and got punished.”

The Paisley-based playcaller added: “We know where we need to improve and we will.

“Our aim is to improve with each performance throughout the tournament.”

Meanwhile, Scotland have received two off-field boosts.

Artemis, a major supporter of Scottish Hockey and the men’s shirt sponsor since 2015, will now also feature as shirt sponsor for the Scotland women’s national team.

And Scottish-based Graham’s The Family Dairy is now a skirt sponsor of the Scotland women’s hockey team as well as being Scottish Hockey’s official dairy partner.