Scotland’s Hockey World Cup win achieves 28-year first as Heather McEwan has final say

It was another impressive scalp for Chris Duncan’s squad, who fought back from a goal down to win the match in Wavre.

Heather McEwan scored the winner after Fiona Burnet had equalised for Scotland following Brittany Wang’s opener for the Black Sticks.

The result means Scotland have won back-to-back games at the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

“I’m beyond happy for the team,” said Scotland defender Katie Birch, who was player of the match. “I know how much hard work has gone in and we’ve never stopped believing that we could perform and I think we stayed together today.”

Scotland, playing at their first World Cup since 2002, lost their opening three pool games to Germany, USA and Argentina but have come alive in the second pool phase with wins over Ireland and New Zealand, two teams ranked higher than them in the world standings.

Final opponents revealed

Burnet got the Scots back on terms against the Kiwis when she touched home at the near post following a cross from Ellie Mackenzie and it was 1-1 at half-time.

New Zealand hit the post after the restart but Scotland snatched the lead with 19 seconds remaining of the third quarter. Birch’s shot from a penalty corner was saved by Black Sticks goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon but McEwan was first to the rebound to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

The win meant Scotland finished second in Pool H and they will now play their final match against Japan in the Netherlands on Thursday in what is an 11th/12th place play-off.