Scotland win

from Patrick Rowley in Invercargill (10.11.2009)

AUSTRIA 2 SCOTLAND 3

A bit of sun but still a near gale blowing on the third day of play at Invercargill.

Early on, Ken Bain sent clear but failed to eliminate either the goalkeeper or a late covering defender. Perhaps should have done better.

Chris Grassick had to stretch forward to get in a flick shot so no power and shot saved.

Against the play Austria scored from their second penalty corner. They had failed to stop their first and appeared to have made the same error again.

The Scots stopped for a fatal second and Peter Proksch scored with low direct shot into corner.

The Scots had a chance to level before interval.

Scotland did not deserve to be behind on first half play. Austria did nothing other than the odd counter attack, Scotland should have won the game in the first four minutes of the second half.

First Ralph put a telling pass into Austrian circle and when the ball rose from Austrian stick, Ross Stott took a first time volley to score
a superb goal.

Immediately after Stephen Dick was forced wide in the circle and shot into side netting. He should probably have done better.

Then Bain reversed just over. Austria did make two chances before Michael Korper, a lumbering but effective centre forward, flicked powerfully into the roof of the net from Austria’s fourth pc. The ball went in centrally but goalkeeper Dick was deceived by Korper’s shoulder shrug.

Scotland were level again within two minutes. Michael Christie’s skilful work on the back line led to Ken Bain taking the chance created.

John Harris also had a chance with a first time shot from pass by Forsyth seven minutes from time.

Right half Christie’s close work in the circle brought the Scots their second corner of the match. Ralph roofed his flick shot and Scotland
led 3-2 with four minutes to go.

With twelve seconds on the clock, Scotland allowed Austria to crash a ball across their goalmouth but they survived.