FOR Australia, it was easy on Sunday morning.
The quest to retain their women's hockey Commonwealth crown rolls on as they bashed in nine goals against a Scotland team that could only offer limited defence.
The Australians have scored 20 in their three group games and have yet to concede any. Should things continue in a similar vein over the next week, then their underemployed goalkeeper Rachael Lynch may soon be eligible to apply for dole money, so little has she had to do.
Scotland attacked from the first whistle. That was their first mistake. It served only to agitate the Australians who presumably took such a confident start as something of an insult. By half-time they were three ahead and they did not relent. A further six goals followed in the second period, with poster girl Anna Flanagan also missing a penalty.
It is a risk to watch an Australia match and assume that fingers alone will be enough to count the goals. Better to have your toes ready too. That Scotland managed to avoid a double-digit defeat was down partly to Flanagan's penalty miss - the ball clanking against the crossbar - but also to the performance of Amy Gibson, who made some impressive saves. That seemed scant consolation to the Scotland goalkeeper, however.
"Nine goals isn't great but they are ranked second in the world and came second in the World Cup last month so they're a quality side," said Gibson. "I can't take much comfort from the saves I made. We need to pick up our game for the next one."
Scotland contributed partially to their own downfall. The first seven goals stemmed from penalty corners, often needlessly conceded. Jodie Kenny was particularly deadly, the defender moving forward from the back to claim a hat trick with three strikes of power and precision from the edge of the circle. Flanagan added a further two, thumping shots to her left both times, giving Gibson no chance. Ashleigh Nelson's first-half goal was more unconventional, the 27-year-old wielding her stick above her head like a tennis racquet to divert Brooke Peris's attempt into the Scottish net. Australia's other goals came from Georgia Nanscawen, Peris and Jayde Taylor.
How Scotland perform in their remaining two matches will determine whether they qualify for the semi-finals, starting with Wales this afternoon before a potential decider against England on Wednesday.
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