2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Views and Analysis
By Kirsty Mackay of East Grinstead Hockey Club
Kirsty Mackay has made 32 appearances for England and Great Britain Indoors and Outdoors and represented England recently at the Rabobank World Cup and the Investec London Cup. Kirsty has competed also at EuroHockey Nations Championships, World League and EuroHockey Nations Indoors.
How do you review the game v Australia ?
Next up the big derby game ?
I think this will be a really close game, recent encounters have been in our favour, winning 2-1 at the Investec London cup and again at the European Cup last summer. With both teams battling for a semi-final place, it will be about who can remain composed and perform under pressure under the circumstances.
My prediction is an England 2-1 win! I have the popcorn at the ready!
How do you review the game v Australia ?
Well it was certainly a great performance from Australia! I do think they were a better outfit than us on the day and deserved the three points.
We went down 2-0 early on, which didn't help us get into the game and as a consequence we were always on the back foot. We were rushed at times and our decision making wasn't as good as it could have been in both of the 'Ds'. However, I felt that this was from Australia's tactical play, pinning us to the sideline, using it as an extra defender, forcing errors.
We went down 2-0 early on, which didn't help us get into the game and as a consequence we were always on the back foot. We were rushed at times and our decision making wasn't as good as it could have been in both of the 'Ds'. However, I felt that this was from Australia's tactical play, pinning us to the sideline, using it as an extra defender, forcing errors.
We had some great opportunities and applied some great pressure on their defence. Again, we built upon our previous performance which is important and we will hope to do so in the last pool game vs Scotland.
I'm sure this will be just as tough as the Australia match for us. If we can put in a performance as we did against the Aussies, we will put ourselves in a great position. With a better goal difference than Scotland, a result and a draw will progress us through.
With so much at stake, and with the home advantage, it is bound to be a great atmosphere. The Scots will want to perform for their crowds and most importantly win for them, particularly if it means putting an England team out of a semi final! The home advantage will help see them through the bad phases of play too.
Watching Scotland so far in Glasgow, I think they have been quite well organised, physically strong and they have had some exciting play going forwards. They also have some really experienced players in their line up such as Linda Clements, Emily Maguire and Vikki Bunce, all of which will be instrumental in their play.
I think this will be a really close game, recent encounters have been in our favour, winning 2-1 at the Investec London cup and again at the European Cup last summer. With both teams battling for a semi-final place, it will be about who can remain composed and perform under pressure under the circumstances.
My prediction is an England 2-1 win! I have the popcorn at the ready!
Kirsty can be seen in action during the coming season playing for East Grinstead Hockey Club.
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