Hockey: Scots shock China to march into semi-finals

SCOTLAND came to the quarter-finals of the Champions Challenge in Lille as first underdogs but then caused a major shock by beating tournament favourites China 2-1 to advance to tomorrow's semi-final against France, who beat Austria in a penalty shoot out after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

Russell Garcia's charges, at 23rd in the international ladder, also make a mockery of the world rankings by seeing off a side placed nine places above them.

It would be a magnificent achievement if the Scots could gain a medal in the closing fixtures, especially as they failed to win a game in the pool competition against France, Russia and Ireland, but even fourth place at worst will undoubtedly push Scotland up the world rankings.

The unlikely hero of the hour was defender Willie Marshall, his goal in the second half was the catalyst that divided the two teams in the end.

It all looked very ominous when China took an early lead. They won a debatable penalty corner and Yixian Liu beat Mark Fulton with a low shot at his right-hand post.

But the Scots were back on level terms within two minutes. A devastating run up the left by Chris Grassick won a set piece and Dan Coultas sent a fierce low shot past the outstretched stick of the Chinese goalkeeper.

The Chinese wasted a couple of early opportunities after the interval, then the Scots retaliated with Marshall's crucial strike. Again Grassick was the provider with a powerful run up the right to the by-line and his back pass was slotted home by Marshall.

The Chinese battled away in the closing 25 minutes to get back on level terms, but they were continually frustrated by fine defending. Connolly said: Today we played as a coherent team. All the players worked their socks off. Perhaps this was not our best game ever, but it was certainly our best ever effort."