THE task of rebuilding an international side can often have its ups and downs and yesterday Scotland coach Gordon Shepherd experienced the latter as his youthful new squad went down 5-0 to India in a friendly international in Stellenbosch (South Africa).
To put the occasion into perspective, this is Shepherd`s first trip with a very inexperienced squad in an effort to prepare a successful team for the World League Round 2 and the European Nations Championships in 2017, while the Indians are four places above them in the world rankings and also in preparation for the Rio Olympics.
The first half was goalless, although Edinburgh University`s keeper Lucy Camlin was kept active preventing the Indians taking the lead from several penalty corner opportunities. The Scots also had chances from set pieces but Susan McGilveray`s two attempts were saved and then blocked by a defender.
The Scots did not really get going in the second half and paid the penalty for not clearing their lines. This was punished by five goals without reply.
In the final quarter, Shepherd`s charges had a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet. Milne Craig Western`s Millie Brown had her shot from the top of the circle saved by the goalkeeper, then CALA Edinburgh`s Emma McGregor took possession of a cutback pass but then shot wide.
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