Scotland (4) v (2) Costa Rica

After narrowly missing out on a place in the World Cup quarter finals Scotland got their Dignitary cup campaign under way with a quarter final vs Costa Rica. Both teams finished the secondary group stage with similar records and this match promised to be a tight encounter. The game exploded into life with a goal for number 7 of Costa Rica within the opening seconds sending the reasonable support of both teams wild in celebration and encouragement. After such a manic start the game settled shortly after and Scotland settled into a rhythm of play that saw them spurn several chances to regain parity, but Costa Rica were never far behind with some great counter attacking play. One such counter attack drew 2 tremendous reflex saves from Scotlands goalkeeper. The match continued in this counter attacing style until the Costa Rican defence was caught napping and number 4 sent a searching ball though the middle of the defence that was sent into the net on the first touch by scotlands number 7 to equalize just before half time.

The first half had proved very equal with the sides contrasting styles both reaping a goal. Costa Ricas movement on the wings looked to be unnerving Scotland at times but Scotlands rushing moves through the middle kept things equal. The match restarted in much the same way it had left off with both sides keeping the goalkeepers under constant pressure forcing many fine saves at both ends of the pitch, but Scotland were first to capitulate when Costa Ricas no.7 sent the ball just underneath the Scottish keeper. There were certainly more goals to come and the crowd werent left waiting long until a run down the wing by number 5 resulted in a great square ball through to number 7 who was left to reap the rewards of his second equalising goal of the game. Both teams looked to assert some dominance and tie up the fixture to avoid the dreaded shootout. This caused both nations to change their approaches and Scotlands first distance attempt was driven home from the left channel into the Costa Rica net by number 5. Immediately Costa Rica pushed out to try and equalise but this left them vulnerable and Scotlands number 7 broke down the left wing to wrongfoot the keeper and score at his near side.

A truly enthralling encounter that was richly diverse in approach, and the result could have gone either way had it not been for Scotlands number 5s sheer industry that saw him rack up an impressive hat trick that earned him man of the match and set up a battle of Britain semi-final against England.

Joseph Dick