Scotland’s World Cup-bound women’s team completed a double over India under-21 at The University of Edinburgh Playing Fields with another success on Monday night.
Chris Duncan, Scotland’s paycaller, was delighted that his squad had a good workout over the 120 minutes of hockey, and he was able to try some new ideas as they posted wins over the hard-working and energetic tourists.
His opposite number, Aussie-born Tim White, is just beginning a journey with his talented crop of youngsters, and they learned from the exposure against a side building towards the World Cup in Belgium in August.
They qualified for the FIH World Cup for the first time in 24 years in Hyderabad, India, in February and now face formidable opposition in Argentina, Germany and USA in Pool B in Wavre, Belgium.
The Tartan Hearts open against Germany, ranked No 5 in the world, on Saturday, August 15 (10.30) and then face USA, a country rated No 11 in the standings, on Monday, August 17 (10am) before finishing their pool against Argentina, ranked No 2 in the world, on Wednesday, August 19 (10am). All games are at the Belfius Hockey Arena.
Duncan said that, at times during Sunday’s game, the players showed some good hockey but, at other times, the players looked a little rusty and disjointed in the 3-2 success.
The coach wanted the players to be more fluid in “an attacking perspective” and he got a response, Scotland winning 3-1 in game two. Yes, there were some tricky moments, particularly in the second-half, but the home side were worthy winners.
Indeed, they started strongly and could have been more than 2-0 ahead in the first half. Experienced international, Bronwyn Shields, broke the deadlock nine minutes played with a well-directed, reverse stick strike.
Zara Kennedy doubled the home side’s advantage soon after, firing home from the edge of the D as India struggled to get into the game. They had not started well.
The tourists refused to buckle and dug in, reducing the arrears mid-way through the third quarter. Krishna Sharma picked up the ball near half-way and darted down the left side of the pitch, stretching the Scottish defence.
Her cross into the D was not dealt with and Shashi Khasa cashed in, slotting at the back post, close in. The Indian side were lifted by the goal and Scotland survived some difficult moments, some caused by poor passing and sloppy play.
However, they regained their composure and stamped their authority on the later stages. Pressure eventually told and Scotland were awarded a penalty flick with under five minutes left on the clock.
Up stepped Olympian and Great Britain squad member, Charlotte Watson. The Dundee-born player made no mistake, calmly depositing the ball low to the right hand side of the Indian goalkeeper.
Scotland did survive a late scare when a poor ball into a midfield player tightly marked by three members of the Indian squad caused a turnover near the home D, but the ball was scrambled away.
Duncan said: “These two games were good for us. We needed to sharpen up after the first and we started well in the second. We could have been four or five up in the first half as we had a lot of pressure, but we only finished the spell up 2-0.
“We tried a few things in the second-half but it was good to get back into competitive play as we build up for the World Cup.”
White confirmed that the Edinburgh double-header was the first time that his squad have played together and he added: “This is just the start and I was really pleased with them.”
He added: “This was a learning experience for us but I was proud with the resolve they showed, particularly after starting the second game poorly.”
FOCUS: Chris Duncan with his tactics board in the dugout at Peffermill. Picture Nigel Duncan
