|
Wales kept themselves in contention for a promotion play off spot with a solid performance against Azerbaijan and now need to focus minds on beating Italy on Wednesday. Wales started with a bang again with skipper Nick Rees forcing a point blank save from the Azeri keeper within the first 30 seconds and set the tone for the match. Wales dominated possession but despite a number of clear chances, failed to score while at the other end Andy Hughes in the Welsh goal made a double save to keep the score at nil nil. As the half wore on, Wales continued to dominate possession but a combination of saves, uneven bounces and poor final balls meant that a frustrated Wales went in at half time level.
Wales continued in the same vein in the second stanza with Rees, Prosser and Gowman all going close only to be denied by last ditch defending or some point blank saves from the keeper. Penalty corners had proved troublesome in the first half but it was from a set piece that Wales opened the scoring: Mike Shaw powering an unstoppable drag flick into the top of the Azeri net in the 40th minute. Within two minutes, the scoreline had doubled with Rhys Gowman drilling a ball past a despairing Azeri keeper. Wales were now full of confidence and began to play some nice hockey as their opponents tired and resorted to theatrics to give their team a breather from Wales' power play. Wales forced more penalty corners and with Shaw off the pitch for a spell, veteran U21 Ben Carless powered a low drag flick into the goal to make the score 3-0 on 53 minutes.
Wales continued to press hard and over-powered the lightweight Azeris while the Welsh full backs snuffed out any breaks made by their opponents. Wales made the score 4-0 when Shaw's replacement, Gareth Furlong, produced an identical drag flick to Shaw on 63 minutes. More chances followed but went unconverted to leave Wales with only four goals to show for their dominance.
This was a much needed win for the Welsh team and showed that when focused, they can produce some good hockey. However, while a team can only beat the opposition put in front of it, they will reflect still on too many turnovers conceded and that the ball still needs to be respected more in their crunch game with the Italians on Wednesday. |
|
|
Men secure semi place (Bericht Schottland)
Derek Forsyth’s U21 Men won today’s important pool match against Italy 5-3 in an enthralling match where both teams rose to the occasion and provided an entertaining encounter in Vienna. Scotland made life a little harder than it might have been by having to play large parts of the second half with ten men through a lack of discipline. This result ensures qualification for the semi final stage with Wednesday’s game against the bottom placed team, Azerbaijan, determining whether they go through as group winners.
Once again lackadaisical defending left Scotland under a little pressure with the concession of a first minute goal. Something Forsyth will no doubt be looking to avoid as the tournament progresses. However ten minutes later a low Josh Cairn’s drag flick levelled. The Scots continued to dominate but were finding it difficult to break down a stuffy Italian defence and Kenny Bain saw two efforts saved by the keeper.
Very much against the run of play Italy regained the lead, with only their second attack, after again some questionable defending. Then a brilliant solo run from Kenny Bain was rewarded when he rounded the keeper and fired a low reverse shot to level the scores at the break.
Scotland managed to finally get ahead for the first time with a second carbon copy short corner strike from Josh Cairns. It was around this time that yellow cards began to be brandished and yet the Scots managed to extend their lead after a brilliant six man move down the right was finished off by Ross McIntyre to give them a 4-2 lead.
Italy did take advantage of Scottish indiscipline to reduce the arrears but this “ding dong” affair was not quite finished and when a short corner routine broke down Kenny Bain retained his composure to slam home the clinching goal with minutes left on the clock. |
|
|
<< Start < Zurück 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Weiter > Ende >>
|
Spielbericht Feld
