Both hockey teams were in action today in their final pool matches with the ladies facing top seeds Australia and the men battling against India.
5-2 was the final score for the women, Scotland’s goals both coming in a much-improved second half but it was not enough to outplay the reigning Commonwealth Champions. Sam Judge scored Scotland’s first and birthday girl, Ailsa Robertson, got the second.
The ‘green and gold’s, who are ranked in the world’s top five, had earlier defeated Trinidad & Tobago and India, but slipped up against South Africa, drawing 1-1 yesterday morning. They didn’t make the same mistake twice and attacked strongly from the start.
Robertson said, “For the first 20 minutes they pressed us very hard, which was probably their game plan, to get the goal early. If we’d started the game like we played in the second half then maybe we could have got some kind of result, even just a draw.”
Targeting a 5th/6th playoff, they will now play for 7th/8th position against Wales on Monday at 20.00hrs.
The men were disappointed to lose out to Malaysia last night but were relishing the chance to play India, here in Delhi, in front of a packed stadium.
Unable to get on the score sheet despite creating a few solid chances, India scored early and kept the momentum, winning 4-0. The noise and vibration around the stadium was electric with Scotland providing some of the cheers as the women’s team amongst others lent their support.
Goal Keeper Alistair McGregor, really enjoyed the atmosphere. He said, “We’ve played teams that are a lot high ranked in the world. We created chances and just haven’t converted them. We had good build-up and preparation coming into the competition and for us, it’s just been tough here and some top opposition. Hopefully we can rest up for a couple of days and win our last match.
“The crowd was amazing. They’re supporters of hockey, not just the Indian team. The better the home side plays, the bigger the crowds will be and that’s what we all want.”
They now playoff for 9th/10th position against Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday at 08.30hrs.