Hockey: Scots land Wallabies clash

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 22:43

AUSTRALIA appear to be the main barrier to Scotland's dream of a place in the women's BDO World Cup finals in Argentina next year, after the draw for the qualifiers was held yesterday.

The Scots must travel to Santiago in Chile from 24 April to 2 May to play Ireland, Chile, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago as well as the Wallabies in a single pool competition, but only the overall winner will book their ticket to Rosario.

Brent Deans, Scottish Hockey's chief executive officer, said: "This is not a bad draw at all, it gives us another opportunity to take on Ireland, and if we can win that one, there's no reason at all whey we cannot contest the final against Australia.

"With this draw we've got a good chance of advancing up the international rankings and also we'll be up against three countries we might meet in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in New Delhi."

The women's 23rd place ranking is artificially depressed by their inability to play in tournaments before, during and after the Olympic Games.