Scotland defeat Azerbaijan by 3-2 to qualify for the semi-final of the FIH Champions Challenge
The Scottish women hockey team continued its splendid form and defeated Azerbaijan by 3-2 in the third quarter-final of the FIH Champions Challenge tournament which is being played at University College Dublin, in Dublin, Ireland.
The Scottish side has secured the second place on points table in pool A with five points. They won one out of their three group matches, while the remaining two ended in a draw. The Investec South African women topped the pool A, having five points, same
as of Scotland, but on a better goal difference.
On the opposite side, Azerbaijan hockey team remained at the third place in pool B with three points. They could only win a single game, while in the other two matches they lost.
Both of the teams looked very balanced as the play started and the game seemed a nerve-racking battle in which both of the teams made very hard efforts to clinch the victory. However in the end Scottish men, held their nerves that led them to important victory.
The penalty-corners also played an important role in their victory as four out of the total five goals were scored on penalty-corners.
The match was started with great action from Azerbaijan women when they scored the opening goal of the match in the 10th minute. Khatira Aliyeva scored the first one with a drag flick and put her team ahead of their rivals. The Scottish women
replied well just after eight minutes when Alisa Wyllie scored the equaliser for her team and it was also on a penalty-corner. The first half ended at 1-1 to both teams.
In the second half the Scottish women looked more dominant as compared to first half and they started the second half almost perfectly. Holly Cram scored the second goal for her team in the 42nd minute and put her team ahead of Azerbaijan. It
was not more than six minutes after their second goal, when Ali Bell enhanced their lead in the 48th minute. Azerbaijan replied well and reduced the Scottish lead a few minutes later, but that score stood till the end. Scotland will face the winner
of the match, which is to be played between Ireland and USA in the semi-final.
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