Callum Mackenzie robbed an opposing player in the press just over half-way and drove towards the D. He fed Jamie Golden who was lurking on his right and he rifled a cross into the danger area. Keir Robb did the rest, finishing clinically.
Scotland’s second goal only minutes into the third quarter effectively sealed the victory and secured a triple whammy against a physical Chilean side ranked No 23 in the word. Scotland are rated No 17.
Earlier, deep in the second quarter, Jamie Golden fired home from a penalty corner award, giving the home side and their fans at The University of Edinburgh Playing Fields a massive lift.
The 2-0 win brought the curtain down on a glorious summer which has been packed with success. Scotland recently won the EuroHockey qualification tournament which carried a passport back to the top flight of European hockey.
The qualification was achieved in Rome, despite searing heat, and now a triple whammy over Chile, 3-0, 1-0 and 2-0, has been accomplished without shipping a goal.
No wonder, interim head coach, Neil Allan, was pleased despite losing Great Britain international, Lee Morton, with a hamstring injury with just over six minutes remaining of the second quarter.
Certainly, Scotland weathered several mini-storms from the Chile side, and there were a few scares in a thoroughly entertaining 60 minutes of hockey played in ideal conditions, but this has been a hugely encouraging spell for the Blue Sticks.
Allan said: “The boys did well, we tried a few new defensive systems, we played man-to-man all three games, and we had some scary moments, but they stuck to their task and it was really pleasing to win all three games and not concede a goal.
“Also, it was important we finished the season well. That is the end of our summer so we are looking forward to next year.” The highlight, of course, is the Euros in London.
At Peffermill on Tuesday, Scotland started the game well, exerting real pressure on the visitors, but they came more into the international as the clock ticked down towards the first break.
The tourists started the second quarter on the front foot, pressing hard and enjoying possession, but they could not break through.
Morton was influential, breaking up attacks and threatening with darting runs and accurate passing. However, he made one run deep into the opposition half down the left and immediately pulled up, holding his right leg.
The former Kelburne player limped off and took no further part, but Scotland re-focused.
Cammy Golden fired for goal from the right but the ball flew wide of the far post then Edinburgh University graduate, Robb, controlled an overhead before sending the ball towards Jacob Tweedie. He just failed to connect at the back post as Scotland took the game to the Chilean side.
Two short corners followed and it was from the second that Golden broke the deadlock, a well-taken strike giving the opposition goalkeeper no chance.
Then Mackenzie made his decisive intervention with 14min 20sec left of the third quarter. Robb’s close in strike took Scotland 2-0 ahead, but Chile were not out of this game and Bruno Acevedo’s reverse stick shot was well-saved. Then the home goalkeeper got down well to his right to parry from a penalty corner.
Things got a tad towsy as the clock ticked down and Chile tried desperately to salvage something from the game.
Umpire Jamie Telfer had to speak to Scotland skipper Robert Field and his Chilean counterpart after Nils Strabucchi was handed a yellow card for an infringement near the goal line ahead of a penalty corner in the final two minutes.
Scotland broke to the other end and Golden had a shot saved and Andrew McConnell flashed a ball wide before the final whistle.
Post-game, Allan confirmed Morton had pulled a hamstring, but said it was not serious and there was, he added, no point in taking a risk with the club season soon to push-off again.
Reflecting on the second goal he said: “The goal was made by the press by Callum. The pass was excellent and a great finish by Kier, but the goal was made by Mackenzie.”
Overall, he described his squad as young and relatively inexperienced, by the coach added: “We are working hard. There is a long way to go.”
GOLDEN SHOT: Cameron Golden shoots for glory against Chile at Peffermill. Picture Nigel Duncan
ON THE BALL: Thomas Orr testing the Chile defence. Picture Nigel Duncan
NO WAY THROUGH: Jamie Golden shuts the gate for a Chile opponent. Picture Nigel Duncan
YES: Scotland celebrate their second goal against Chile at Peffermill. Picture Nigel Duncan
UNLUCKY: Olympian Lee Morton, winner of the Men’s Player of the Year Award from the Hockey Writers’ Club in February 2025, initiates and attack at Peffermill before his hamstring issue. Picture Nigel Duncan
