Young Scots on the brink of semi-finals

Scotland all but booked their place in the promotion semi-finals with a comfortable 3-1 win over the Czech Republic at the European Youth Championships II in Cardiff, writes Craig Madden.

Another three points against Switzerland in today’s final pool match would ensure the Scots’ place in the last four.

Grange’s Robbie Croll converted a penalty corner after just six minutes to settle the younhsters’ nerves.

The lead was doubled in the second quarter with a direct set piece strike by Edinburgh University’s Ben Pearson.

And, two minutes into the second half, the three pointsseemedtohavebeen secured by another penalty corner strike by Pearson. The Czechs replied with a set-piece goal of their own from Tomas Vodenka but the Scots youngsters held on for a deserved win.

At the women’s World Cup in London yesterday, Australia were held to a goalless draw by Belgium and New Zealand lost 2-1 to Japan. With only one Group D match left, Australia are a point ahead of New Zealand and Japan, with Belgium two points further adrift, so the automatic route to the quarterfinals is wide open.