This has been the first day where the weather seems to be more friendly. Clear skies and much less pollution - so the sun is now fairly fierce. Our game at 1630 hours began in 34 degree heat but a breeze and the sun going behind the skyscrapers helped us to feel less depleted. The squad played a much more cohesive game and eventually broke through in the 25th minute with a field goal. That was followed later by another well worked field goal which rocked the Dutch.
In the second half, the Holland team began to lose discipline and heart and, taking advantage of this, our right "wing back" ran the length of the field beating 5 Dutch players on the way to a wonder goal struck high into the roof of the net.
End of game - winning 3-0. End of a 'financial markets' tournament (full of ups and downs) and a 5th place in the world behind Australia, England, Germany and China. Not bad for a bunch of old crocks. A special mention for our supporters and particularly to Gerry Toner (and John Smith) who had a very demanding schedule of umpiring, particularly because some teams (England) didn't bring their own.
There is a vague rumour that the next World Championships in 2 years time might be held in Edinburgh. Not much interest in that, I think! How about South America or Australia?
See you all back in sunny Paisley.
Alan Bryce
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Friday, 19 September 2008
Matches against Japan and Italy
Brief report this time - match against Japan, highlight winning 4-1, lowlight Doug Carens carried off unconscious (he's OK and recovering); match against Italy, highlight winning 3-2, lowlight torrential thunderstorm which flooded the pitch to 25 cm. We only had 12 hours between the matches, so we're really pleased to have got through them unscathed.
Next the Tournament Dinner followed by the final match against Netherlands to decide 5th place.
Onwards and upwards!
Next the Tournament Dinner followed by the final match against Netherlands to decide 5th place.
Onwards and upwards!
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Third match v South Africa
Nothing is easy with Scottish Hockey. Short story - eight of the 15 players have been struck down with various "rummy tummy" troubles, less than 24 hours before this match. Nobody admits that this is due to dehydration - old dogs and new tricks?
Miraculously, all 15 trap up for the game, but in varying states of disarray.
The people taking pictures would see a Scottish World Cup team warmed up and ready for the fray - in many cases, just a veneer. The first move of the game involved the centre-half, who was unable to bend to take the ball which results in a goal against in the first minute. The Centre Half left the pitch and the next 69 minutes became a see-saw match with the greater skills on the South African side set against the better attitude and team spirit of the Scots.
We deservedly scored a field goal after relentless pressure just before half time. With various players beginning to wilt badly in the overpowering heat and humidity (heard that before?), changes were improvised and eventually led to a disallowed goal in the last minute - granted by one umpire but not granted by the important one.
Much better performance, but our thinking and skills need to move up a notch or two for the remaining three matches. We play Japan, Italy and the Netherlands in various crossovers. We carry the point from the South Africa match forward to these games.
The Free Day tomorrow should help to repair the damage before Thursday.
Alan Bryce
Miraculously, all 15 trap up for the game, but in varying states of disarray.
The people taking pictures would see a Scottish World Cup team warmed up and ready for the fray - in many cases, just a veneer. The first move of the game involved the centre-half, who was unable to bend to take the ball which results in a goal against in the first minute. The Centre Half left the pitch and the next 69 minutes became a see-saw match with the greater skills on the South African side set against the better attitude and team spirit of the Scots.
We deservedly scored a field goal after relentless pressure just before half time. With various players beginning to wilt badly in the overpowering heat and humidity (heard that before?), changes were improvised and eventually led to a disallowed goal in the last minute - granted by one umpire but not granted by the important one.
Much better performance, but our thinking and skills need to move up a notch or two for the remaining three matches. We play Japan, Italy and the Netherlands in various crossovers. We carry the point from the South Africa match forward to these games.
The Free Day tomorrow should help to repair the damage before Thursday.
Alan Bryce
Monday, 15 September 2008
Second Match against local Champions
Sometimes you're happier than others to make your report. Sometimes you'd rather "forget" to do it. This is one of those.
Our game against Hong Kong, the local favourites, started well with Scotland in control of the defence and midfield, but passing moves were breaking down due in part to the lack of control, in part to the weather conditions and in part to lack of communication (a core problem). Hong Kong's first short corner resulted in a goal of simplicity and directness. Down one again. How did we react? We went up the field and scored a field goal.
From then on the heat (35 degrees), humidity (75%), and pollution (135 where 100 means children should stay indoors) provided good excuses for our performance. In truth we were dominant but unskilled in making the breakthrough in their 22. In the end they had 3 more short corners and three more goals. Results 4-1 down.
Not exactly depressing but a slap in the face for those of us who wanted to be in the top four. Now fifth is the best we can hope for. Hasta luego or whatever that is in Chinese.
Alan Bryce
Our game against Hong Kong, the local favourites, started well with Scotland in control of the defence and midfield, but passing moves were breaking down due in part to the lack of control, in part to the weather conditions and in part to lack of communication (a core problem). Hong Kong's first short corner resulted in a goal of simplicity and directness. Down one again. How did we react? We went up the field and scored a field goal.
From then on the heat (35 degrees), humidity (75%), and pollution (135 where 100 means children should stay indoors) provided good excuses for our performance. In truth we were dominant but unskilled in making the breakthrough in their 22. In the end they had 3 more short corners and three more goals. Results 4-1 down.
Not exactly depressing but a slap in the face for those of us who wanted to be in the top four. Now fifth is the best we can hope for. Hasta luego or whatever that is in Chinese.
Alan Bryce
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Match against World Champions, Germany
At last, a chance to see if we can improve upon our last European non-performances. The Germans are first to the bench, first to warm up and organised to a T. We started slowly, perhaps due to the heat (33 degrees) and humidity (80 percent). They then scored from a short corner in 5 minutes and the die seemed to be set.
However, Scotland began to play top-class hockey (at last?) and scored a field goal and then a beautifully worked short corner (well, I would say that, wouldn't I?). So, yes, we are 2-1 up against the world champions at half-time.
They are complaining amongst themselves, getting green cards from the umpires and everything is looking rosy. With 12 minutes to go, they then score two quick, short-corners and go 3-2 in front, but still not able to settle. We are playing solid team hockey. One of our players is then yellow-carded for some pretty insignificant 'hand in back' play by a mid-fielder. According to the large crowd, nothing compared to the block-busting central defence earlier on, that saw a German midfielder taken off to be resuscitated.
Being world champions, the Germans then exploited the spaces and weaknesses and scored twice before the end. Final result - 5-2 to the Germans, but Scottish heads held high. Hurray!
To sum up, an exhilirating experience which the huge crowd thoroughly enjoyed; it made the training and preparation really worthwhile - and all thanks to the 5th XI of course.
Next game against Hong Kong who beat the South Africans 4-2 yesterday.
Alan Bryce
However, Scotland began to play top-class hockey (at last?) and scored a field goal and then a beautifully worked short corner (well, I would say that, wouldn't I?). So, yes, we are 2-1 up against the world champions at half-time.
They are complaining amongst themselves, getting green cards from the umpires and everything is looking rosy. With 12 minutes to go, they then score two quick, short-corners and go 3-2 in front, but still not able to settle. We are playing solid team hockey. One of our players is then yellow-carded for some pretty insignificant 'hand in back' play by a mid-fielder. According to the large crowd, nothing compared to the block-busting central defence earlier on, that saw a German midfielder taken off to be resuscitated.
Being world champions, the Germans then exploited the spaces and weaknesses and scored twice before the end. Final result - 5-2 to the Germans, but Scottish heads held high. Hurray!
To sum up, an exhilirating experience which the huge crowd thoroughly enjoyed; it made the training and preparation really worthwhile - and all thanks to the 5th XI of course.
Next game against Hong Kong who beat the South Africans 4-2 yesterday.
Alan Bryce
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Vets World Cup - Hong Kong 2008
Day One
As Robin Williams said in Good Morning Vietnam, "It's hot, damn hot!" It's also 80% humidity which makes you embarrassingly moist all the time.Arrived at midnight to a spectacular show of lights and cityscape - just the normal Hong Kong and Kowloon. We have had a training session for two hours today which was a bit different from Bella on a Saturday afternoon - which I am missing by the way!I hope to keep you up-to-date with our results, no matter how bad they are, over the next ten days. Our first game is against the 2006 World Champions, the Germans - who have been here for a week already at a training camp. We had heard that the English are doing altitude training but then discovered that they were on the 52nd floor in their hotel.The Sports Complex, which includes a racecourse, rubgy pitches, football pitches, hockey pitches, etc, is called Happy Valley - a good name for a place for the over 60s and over 65s, don't you think?Some of our squad have still to arrive - our first game isn't until Saturday. They'll find it hard to acclimatise in a day, but here's hoping. Speak to you soon.Alan Bryce
As Robin Williams said in Good Morning Vietnam, "It's hot, damn hot!" It's also 80% humidity which makes you embarrassingly moist all the time.Arrived at midnight to a spectacular show of lights and cityscape - just the normal Hong Kong and Kowloon. We have had a training session for two hours today which was a bit different from Bella on a Saturday afternoon - which I am missing by the way!I hope to keep you up-to-date with our results, no matter how bad they are, over the next ten days. Our first game is against the 2006 World Champions, the Germans - who have been here for a week already at a training camp. We had heard that the English are doing altitude training but then discovered that they were on the 52nd floor in their hotel.The Sports Complex, which includes a racecourse, rubgy pitches, football pitches, hockey pitches, etc, is called Happy Valley - a good name for a place for the over 60s and over 65s, don't you think?Some of our squad have still to arrive - our first game isn't until Saturday. They'll find it hard to acclimatise in a day, but here's hoping. Speak to you soon.Alan Bryce
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