Hockey Team In Danger Of Relegation
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28 July, 2006 11:10
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After the perfect start in their first match, Gibraltar find themselves in a tricky position after the first round of matches in the Euro Hockey Junior Nations Trophy B Division. At the end of this tournament, two teams will be promoted to the A, top, division and two relegated to the C division. Hoping to remain A young Gibraltar side competing against older, more experienced opposition have acquitted themselves well. Gibraltar have been unhappy with a number of refereeing decisions and must now get good results in the cross-over matches if they are to avoid relegation.
Gibraltar 1 v 4 France
The tournament exploded into life when J Triay scored for Gibraltar in the 2nd match against strong opponents, France. The goal, coming from a penalty-corner, gave Gibraltar an unexpected lead which they defended well with outstanding goalkeeping from S Rodriguez until the 18th minute when France struck the equaliser. Gibraltar were forced to spend the rest of the match defending heavily and playing on the counter-attack. Unfortunately and despite some heroic defending, France broke through here three more times before the finish but Gibraltar can take heart that they held France to the four goals and the added confidence knowing they are capable of scoring.
Gibraltar 2 v 2 Switzerland
Despite twice going a goal down, Gibraltar rallied to grab a valuable point in their battle for survival. In an ill tempered match in which Gibraltar at one point only had 9 men on the pitch and the manager receieved a one match suspension, Gib showed the necessary fight to gain a well earned draw.
Both halves ended 1v1 with the Swiss scoring first on 22 minutes before Gib converted the usual penalty-corner to go in at half time level. The second half followed the same way with the Swiss scoring just after half time before S Ramagge was sent off for Gib after he and a Swiss player squared up to one another. Shortly after C Buhagiar was yellow carded and off the pitch for a bad tackle. Gibraltar with only nine men proceeded to win a penalty, miss the penalty and score a goal from open play to level the match once again followed by more defensive action by Gibraltar to grab the precious draw.
Gibraltar 1 v 3 Austria
With a good result possibly being enough to secure Gibraltar’s place in Division B, the Austrians proved too strong, running out winners. The match followed Gibraltar’s previous battles with debatable refereeing decisions a plenty and Gibraltar spending much of the time defending and playing on the counter attack.
Other Group A Results:
Group A
France 2 v 1 Switzerland
Austria 2 v 0 Switzerland
France 5 v 4 Austria
| | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff |
| France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | +5 |
| Austria | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| Gibraltar | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | -5 |
The groups now split with the bottom two from each group, which included Gibraltar, facing each other in a battle to avoid relegation. Gibraltar will therefore play Italy and Portugal in what are must win matches.
Scotland and Wales will play France and Austria to decide who moves up to Division A.
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