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
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