If Scotland beat the Australian Hockeyroos by six goals or more, they will qualify for the finals of the Commonwealth Games. Any other result will see Australia through to the finals in their crucial group game. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog starting from 9:30pm (AEST).
Australia still have a point to prove at the back end of the group stage, having only beaten Canada by one, meekly drawing to New Zealand last night, and coming away victorious against easy beats Ghana.
Scotland haven’t done much either, winning only one match so far over Ghana, also losing to New Zealand 6-1 and drawing with Canada 1-all.
Mathematically they can beat Australia, but it won’t be happening as the Hockeyroos are yet to let in a goal so far this tournament in over 180 minutes of hockey.
The way it’s all happened for the hockeyroos, although their defence has been great, comes down to their constant possession o the ball and willingness to slow the game down.
Winning against Australia isn’t complex, but it’s difficult.
To win, any defensive minded tactics must be thrown out the window, as these won’t prevent goals, they will just delay them.
A reasonable share of the ball is a must, the age-old saying being: you can’t win games without the ball.
Australia to have too many guns in attack, so expect a good result for the Hockeyroos.
Prediction
Australia 4-1 Scotland.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage from 9:30pm (AEST).
Tom English
Roar Guru
FULLTIME That’s the game! Australia win it, via goals in the first and third quarters; to Kenny and Stewart. Australia clinch the pool and will go on and play semis against India. Scotland have it tough, they need Ghana to restrict Canada to a draw or less, to progress, good luck with that! That’s enough from me, Goodnight.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 1’ 2-0 Dangerous tackle, here’s a penalty corner, Australia’s shot blocked, they want a review don’t get it, and that’ll be it!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 2’ 2-0 Down to the last couple of minutes here, We’re off! And Emily Hertz’s shot gets blocked!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 6’ 2-0 Ratcliffe great run- taken away by the keeper! At the last, she gets denied!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 8’ 2-0 Long ball goes astray by Aus, not achieving much right now. Hitting the ball away, interesting.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 9’ 2-0 Scotland with the ball back deep, Ratcliffe stole it, and does well!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 11’ 2-0 Good block by Aus, it goes out near halfway.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 11’ referral turned Down and here’s a penalty corner, which finds a foot, the Aussies refer and want a 16 yard hit. Good referral by Australia, but no- here’s a penalty corner for Scotland
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 12’ 2-0 Green card, dunno what for. The penalty corner is given again to Scotland- they refer and want a penalty stroke!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 12’ 2-0 Shot blocked by the runner- comes off the foot! Penalty corner, and now the Scots clear well. Scotland now get a penalty corner. Dunno how Aus keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 13’ 2-0 Some good long runs here, good to watch. Penalty Corner to Australia! Foot by Scotland.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q4 14’ 2-0 Oh so close by Aus! They had the keeper down, but the umpire saw a foot.
Tom English
Roar Guru
3 Quarter Time Australia with the one goal in that period, Stewart the scorer.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q3 2’ 2-0 Scotland group of supporters at the ground, good to see the away crowd.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q3 3’ 2-0 Scotland winning frees, Australia going back into their shell briefly, they have this game I’m thinking.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q3 5’ 2-0 Scotland look the conservative route, before going the long hit into nowhere- crossing the goal line.
Tom English
Roar Guru
GOAL Just linking up perfectly from the initial break, as Paxton went to Ratcliffe, Stewart on the inside SCORES!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q3 7’ 1-0 Loud crowd all of a sudden- Aus definitely the more potent, but they need to lift because Scotland are in this game!
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q3 8’ 1-0 Scotland had numbers and were turning Aus inside out, but Kershaw gets it and runs it out.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Q3 9’ 1-0 Scotland clear, get a deflection, ball back to the girls in blue.