Scotland beaten by Austria in men’s EuroHockey Championship II
Scotland 1 (S. Walker)
Austria 2 (D. Uher; B. Kolbl)
Scotland fell short in their second match of men’s EuroHockey Championship II in Gniezno, losing 2-1 to Austria.
Despite a bright start by Scotland, it was Austria who took the lead through a well-executed penalty corner into the bottom right corner by Dominic Uher. 1-0.
Tremendous running by Callum Mackenzie at the end of the quarter saw him weave his way through the Austrian defence, but somehow the ball didn’t end up in the back of the net as Hamish Imrie dived towards the far post but the ball evaded him.
Some lovely link up by Alan Forsyth and Andy McConnell early in the second quarter carved open the Austrian defence, but the backline managed to force the ball clear at the vital moment.
Then a Rob Harwood deflection skipped past the upright after a driven pass by McConnell. Moments later Ed Greaves was denied at the near post as he bravely dove in to shoot goal-ward.
Against the run of play it was Austria who scored next. The ball was blasted into the circle from the left and a deflection in front of Tommy Alexander by Benjamin Kolbl made it 2-0.
In the third quarter, Harwood’s improvised deflection was denied by the outstretched foot of the Austrian goalkeeper.
Scotland threw everything at Austria in the final quarter and Struan Walker pulled a well-deserved goal back. From a penalty corner routine he fired the ball into the roof of the net.
The Blue Sticks couldn’t find their much-needed equaliser and Austria held on for the win.
Scottish Hockey
