Scotland thump Oman, Egypt win thriller
Published: 05:02 PM,Feb 17,2025 | EDITED : 09:02 PM,Feb 17,2025
Oman and Scotland players fight for the ball.
Muscat: Oman suffered a 10-1 thrashing by Scotland in their opening match of the FIH Hockey Men's Nations Cup 2 Oman 2025 at the Hockey Oman stadium in Al Amerat on Monday night. Oman next face a tough challenge against the United States on the second day of the tournament.
Scotland started strong, scoring five goals in the first quarter through Jamie Golden (4’, 11’), Andrew McConnell (6’), Struan Walker (7’, 10’), leaving Oman struggling to respond. The second quarter saw Scotland extend their lead to 7-0 with goals from David Nairn (19’) and Andrew Loughrey (20’), while Oman failed to break through their defence. Oman showed improvement in the third quarter, but Scotland regained control late, adding two more goals from Ali Douglas (42’) and Andrew McConnell (43’), making it 9-0. In the final quarter, Oman finally found the net through Ammar al Shaaibi (50’), but Scotland sealed their dominant performance with Craig Falconer’s tenth goal (55’), ending the match 10-1.
EGYPT EDGE CHINA IN NAIL-BITER
In the opening Pool A match, Egypt edged past China in a thrilling 5-4 victory. Egypt took an early lead through Ahmed Elganaini in the 4th minute, but China dominated possession, ending the quarter 1-0 in Egypt’s favour.
China equalised via Benhai Chen (21’) and took the lead (25’), but Egypt responded with two late goals from Mohamed Nasr (29’) and Elganaini (30’) to lead 3-2 at halftime.
China levelled the score again with a penalty goal from Yuanlin LU (37’), but Egypt quickly regained control with goals from Ziad Adel (38’) and Hossameldin Ragab (40’), ending the third quarter 5-3.
China fought back with a late penalty corner goal from Jiesheng Gao (55’), but Egypt’s defence held firm, securing a 5-4 victory.
Ahmed Elganaini was awarded the best player of the match.
Elganaini expressed his happiness with the victory, noting that he has played in Oman before and looks forward to better performances ahead. He emphasised staying focused on each match.
He highlighted the team's intensive training camps aimed at securing first place. After scoring two goals and earning the Best Player award, he said, 'I aim to be the tournament's top scorer.'
Praising Oman's organisation, he stated, 'Oman always impresses with its exceptional hosting,' adding that the country has become a top sports destination, citing major international tournaments it has successfully hosted.
POLAND CRUISE PAST CHILE
In the second Pool A match, Poland secured a commanding 4-0 win over Chile.
Poland dominated possession and applied high pressure in the first quarter, but Chile’s solid defence held firm. Despite both teams creating chances, the quarter ended goalless.
In the second quarter, Poland took the lead in the 17th minute with a penalty corner goal by Bembenek Tomasz. Chile pressed for an equaliser but was denied by Poland’s goalkeeper, leaving the halftime score at 1-0.
Chile started aggressively in the third quarter but failed to capitalise on a penalty corner. Poland regained control, and in the 43rd minute, Koperski Maksymilian scored from a rebound, extending the lead to 2-0.
In the fourth quarter, Poland sealed the win with two late goals by Gumny Mikolaj 54’ and Koperski Maksymilian 56’. With this, the match ended in a well-deserved 4-0 victory for Poland, following a strong and organised performance, while Chile struggled with missed opportunities and failure to capitalise on its penalty corners. Mateusz Popiolkowski won the best player of the match.
USA BEAT AUSTRIA
In Pool A, the USA earned first points with a close 1-0 win over Austria.
The USA took an early lead in the fourth minute through Sekayi Charasika’s penalty corner goal and controlled the first quarter. Austria dominated possession in the second quarter, missing key chances, including a penalty corner by Fulop Losonci (18’), but the USA held their 1-0 lead at half-time.
Austria maintained pressure in the third quarter but couldn’t break through the solid American defence. In the final quarter, the USA missed a penalty (50’), while Austria pushed hard for an equaliser but failed to convert. The match ended in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the USA. Jack Heldens from US team received the best player award.
Eight teams are competing in the tournament for the title and qualification to the 2026 Hockey Nations Cup. The teams are divided into two groups: Pool A: Egypt, Chile, China and Poland. Pool B: Austria, Oman, Scotland and the United States.
Each team will play against every other team in its group, striving to secure a spot in the semifinals. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.
Scotland started strong, scoring five goals in the first quarter through Jamie Golden (4’, 11’), Andrew McConnell (6’), Struan Walker (7’, 10’), leaving Oman struggling to respond. The second quarter saw Scotland extend their lead to 7-0 with goals from David Nairn (19’) and Andrew Loughrey (20’), while Oman failed to break through their defence. Oman showed improvement in the third quarter, but Scotland regained control late, adding two more goals from Ali Douglas (42’) and Andrew McConnell (43’), making it 9-0. In the final quarter, Oman finally found the net through Ammar al Shaaibi (50’), but Scotland sealed their dominant performance with Craig Falconer’s tenth goal (55’), ending the match 10-1.
EGYPT EDGE CHINA IN NAIL-BITER
In the opening Pool A match, Egypt edged past China in a thrilling 5-4 victory. Egypt took an early lead through Ahmed Elganaini in the 4th minute, but China dominated possession, ending the quarter 1-0 in Egypt’s favour.
China equalised via Benhai Chen (21’) and took the lead (25’), but Egypt responded with two late goals from Mohamed Nasr (29’) and Elganaini (30’) to lead 3-2 at halftime.
China levelled the score again with a penalty goal from Yuanlin LU (37’), but Egypt quickly regained control with goals from Ziad Adel (38’) and Hossameldin Ragab (40’), ending the third quarter 5-3.
China fought back with a late penalty corner goal from Jiesheng Gao (55’), but Egypt’s defence held firm, securing a 5-4 victory.
Ahmed Elganaini was awarded the best player of the match.
Elganaini expressed his happiness with the victory, noting that he has played in Oman before and looks forward to better performances ahead. He emphasised staying focused on each match.
He highlighted the team's intensive training camps aimed at securing first place. After scoring two goals and earning the Best Player award, he said, 'I aim to be the tournament's top scorer.'
Praising Oman's organisation, he stated, 'Oman always impresses with its exceptional hosting,' adding that the country has become a top sports destination, citing major international tournaments it has successfully hosted.
POLAND CRUISE PAST CHILE
In the second Pool A match, Poland secured a commanding 4-0 win over Chile.
Poland dominated possession and applied high pressure in the first quarter, but Chile’s solid defence held firm. Despite both teams creating chances, the quarter ended goalless.
In the second quarter, Poland took the lead in the 17th minute with a penalty corner goal by Bembenek Tomasz. Chile pressed for an equaliser but was denied by Poland’s goalkeeper, leaving the halftime score at 1-0.
Chile started aggressively in the third quarter but failed to capitalise on a penalty corner. Poland regained control, and in the 43rd minute, Koperski Maksymilian scored from a rebound, extending the lead to 2-0.
In the fourth quarter, Poland sealed the win with two late goals by Gumny Mikolaj 54’ and Koperski Maksymilian 56’. With this, the match ended in a well-deserved 4-0 victory for Poland, following a strong and organised performance, while Chile struggled with missed opportunities and failure to capitalise on its penalty corners. Mateusz Popiolkowski won the best player of the match.
USA BEAT AUSTRIA
In Pool A, the USA earned first points with a close 1-0 win over Austria.
The USA took an early lead in the fourth minute through Sekayi Charasika’s penalty corner goal and controlled the first quarter. Austria dominated possession in the second quarter, missing key chances, including a penalty corner by Fulop Losonci (18’), but the USA held their 1-0 lead at half-time.
Austria maintained pressure in the third quarter but couldn’t break through the solid American defence. In the final quarter, the USA missed a penalty (50’), while Austria pushed hard for an equaliser but failed to convert. The match ended in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the USA. Jack Heldens from US team received the best player award.
Eight teams are competing in the tournament for the title and qualification to the 2026 Hockey Nations Cup. The teams are divided into two groups: Pool A: Egypt, Chile, China and Poland. Pool B: Austria, Oman, Scotland and the United States.
Each team will play against every other team in its group, striving to secure a spot in the semifinals. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.