Scotland’s women reach the Hockey World Cup for the first time since 2002

Scotland will play in the Women’s Hockey World Cup for the first time since 2002 after beating Italy 1-0 in a tense playoff.

A place in the tournament was up for grabs in the third-place qualifying match in Hyderabad, India.

Amy Costello got the Scots off to a great start when she curled a corner kick into the bottom right corner.

Scotland dominated the first quarter and almost took a two-goal lead when Catherine Holdgate created a chance late in the quarter, but a strong save denied them.

In the second quarter, Fiona Burnett was on the verge of doubling Scotland’s lead when she received a brilliant pass from Heather McEwan, but the final effort went wide of the left post from a tight angle.

Costello almost found the top right corner with a drag flick but sailed wide of the mark.

The second half saw Scotland continue to control the game, but the best chance of the third quarter went to Italy.

Federica Carta unleashed a ferocious drag flick that looked certain to slot into the bottom left corner, but Jess Buchanan made a superb save.

“It’s the first time we’ve qualified for the Hockey World Cup in 24 years. So the feeling is unbelievable,” said Sarah Robertson, Scotland’s captain for the International Hockey Federation.

“We still haven’t come to terms with it, but it’s amazing.”

The tournament will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands next August.