Scotland miss out on Quarters after draw with Canada
Image – Kenny Bain in action against Wales in an earlier World League Round – John Preece
Scotland’s World Cup dream ended in London today when, in searing heat, they drew 1-1 with Canada in their final group stage match.
Coach Derek Forsyth’s team were 1-0 behind after 29 minutes but battled back to level with 18 minutes remaining against the Canadian side, ranked No 11 in the world, 12 places above the Blue Sticks.
Scotland were pinned back in their own half by the Canadian side in the first quarter, the North American side enjoying twice as much time in possession than the Scots.
They also made five circle penetrations against one by the Scots who survived a real scare in the final minute of the half when Richard Hildreth failed to connect at the far post.
It was a different story in the second quarter as Scotland stepped-up their game and Kenny Bain had a gilt-edged chance at the back post after good interplay from his former Kelburne team-mates Willie Marshall and David Forsyth.
Shortly after, Gordon McIntyre saw his shot rocket just wide of the post. Scotland then paid for those misses when Canada’s Gordon Johnston broke the deadlock from a penalty corner in the final minute of the first-half, sweeping the ball home past goalkeeper Tommy Alexander.
Scotland, in desperate need of a goal, forced the pace in the third quarter. The breakthrough came after Canadian goalkeeper, David Carter, parried a penalty corner attempt. Marshall then latched onto the loose ball and hammered it low into the net through the goalkeeper’s legs to level the score with 3 minutes of the quarter to play.
That presented Scotland with a lifeline but, despite real pressure in the final period they failed to find the goal which would have put them through into the quarter-finals.
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