Jamieson bows out as Scotland edged by Japan

Scotland’s women’s hockey squad were edged 2-1 by Japan who dug deep to claim 11^th position in the World Cup in Amsterdam, surviving waves of attacks from the Tartan Hearts and netting with two breakaways against the run of play.

A 12^th position finish is, however, a real improvement for the Scots whose best finish was eighth in 1983, but the squad and will rue a number of missed opportunities.

They also faced a goalkeeper who stood up to the test.

It all came back to being clinical in the circle as the Scots enjoyed 29 circle entries against four from Japan. The Scots, overall, had 57.2 per cent of the possession against 42.8 per cent, and Scotland enjoyed seven penalty corner opportunities against one.

Japan survived and for Sarah Jamieson, who confirmed her retirement from international hockey, this was a disappointing end to a long international career.

Sarah Robertson, Scotland’s captain, admitted it was a disappointing end to the tournament. The former University of Edinburgh player said: “We left it too late. We had a lot of energy, but we are disappointed with the outcome.”

She acknowledged that Scotland had enjoyed a really good tournament, playing against some of the best teams in the world, beating Ireland and New Zealand, who are ranked above the Tartan Hearts in the world, and they have enjoyed the experience overall, but acknowledged that gaps in the event, which spanned nearly two weeks, had not suited the Scots.

Earlier, Japan were pushed back aggressive play in the early minutes, and Heather McEwan fired a reverse stick shot for goal. It was blocked by the Japan goalkeeper.

Japan looked to counter but Robertson drove down the right and crossed into the danger area. Ruth Blaikie tried to turn and shoot, but the Japan defence held firm.

Jamieson then had an opportunity to shoot and flashed the ball just wide of the Japan left hand post following another cross from Robertson on the right.

Japan broke down the right, at speed, but were halted by stout defence. The warning was there and they won a penalty corner, their first, after 10min 50sec.

The ball was driven in and blocked by Jen Eadie’s foot, near the line, and the referee signalled a penalty stroke. Miyu Suzuki stepped and she delivered to Buchanan’s left. The goalkeeper guessed correctly, but the shot had too much power, the ball going low to give the East Asian side, ranked No 13 in the world, the lead.

So, Scotland, for all their attacking, were behind against a side two positions lower in the world. The Tartan Hearts immediately responded and Robertson drove down the left to feed Rebecca Birch but her attempt was blocked.

McEwan had a sight of goal as the clock ticked down to the first break as Scotland continued to dominate possession, but Japan had the crucial goal.

Robertson, an Olympian with over 100 caps for Great Britain and Scotland, continued to inspire, driving deep, and Millie Steiger picked up a loose ball just outside the circle and she fed Jamieson whose shot was blocked by the goalkeeper’s pads.

But, Japan broke, and Haruka Kawaguchi fired for goal. The shot Buchanan but Olympian Amy Costello was there to deny Japan a second goal, then Fiona Burnet snuffed out a Japan attack, a key challenge, before MacKenzie threatened the Japan goal. Nobody was there to connect with her pass into the circle.

Charlotte Watson then charged towards goal on a solo run, but was blocked at the top of the circle, as Scotland continued with their attacks, but Japan were still ahead.

Scotland just lacked the final touch in a tense first half in the Wagener Stadium. Japan had three shots on goal and Scotland four, had only 43 per cent of possession against 57 per cent from Scotland and the side from East Asia only made three circle penetrations against 12 by the Tartan Hearts.

Scotland coach, Chris Duncan, expressed his disappointment at being behind, and it was an action replay of the first as his squad drove forward. Ellie MacKenzie impacted, winning a penalty corner after Watson jumped over the ball and it hit a Japanese player on the foot.

Costello’s first penalty corner was sent wide by a deflection and her second was blocked by the Japan runner. Scotland had increased their tempo and Watson was dumped to the floor by a push. Penalty corner.

Then Costello saw another shot blocked by the goalkeeper’s pads and the Japan side broke to relieve the pressure, which was intense.

Still Scotland were behind but continued with the high press and MacKenzie drove past several defenders to set up another chance, but Japan survived, and broke. Then MacKenzie drarted upfied and was stopped by a Japanese player, Saki Tanaka, who was given a green card.

Scotland then capitalised. Eve Pearson shot, it was saved, Katherine Holdgate then intervened and won a penalty corner. Birch then shot and the ball was deflected, but the ball refused to go in and Japan looked to profit from a break.

Scotland regained possession but Japan’s work rate in defence was admirable, and they kept their noses in front at the end of the third quarter.

Katie Birch was green carded just before the whistle and she started the final quarter in the penalty box, as Scotland tried to break the Japanese defence. It has been a rearguard action, but they have stayed firm.

Scotland had a real scare when Mai Toriyama fed Miku Hasegawa but she failed to control the ball when unmarked and clear in the opposing circle, and that gave Japan momentum. They struck after a drive down the left and a cross into the danger area was met by Akari Nakagomi who deflected the ball home from close in. Clinical and destructive at 49min 41sec.

Scotland removed their goalkeeper immediately to give them 11 players and they committed numbers forward, but Japan, who are preparing for the Asian games, continued to frustrate. Robertson called for a review as another attack broke down, this time for dangerous play, but the review failed.

Birch then fired for goal and this was blocked and then Scotland were awarded a penalty corner with 3min 24sec left. Costello was denied by the goalkeeper pads as the ball flew towards goal from a central position.

Another penalty corner was signalled as Japan rocked under the pressure. Scotland counted. however, after 57min 44sec. Robertson injected and she received the ball back. She sent it into the danger area and MacKenzie netted from close in. The referee referred to the video umpire.

Her referral was waved aside and Scotland had hope. Burnet then threatened as Scotland finished strongly, MacKenzie sent the ball into the circle, it was blocked, and Scotland won a penalty corner with 34 seconds remaining, MacKenzie being influential before an intervention from Watson. The penalty corner was blocked and that was that for the brave Scots.

BOWING OUT: Sarah Jamieson (in blue) has retired from international hockey. Picture Nigel Duncan