![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/scotwomensrvmal.jpg\")
<\/p>\nScotland\u2019s women\u2019s hockey squad headed for Amsterdam on Tuesday as they continued their odyssey in the World Cup boosted by confirmation that they are now 11th in the world, their highest ever position, and sixth in Europe, those positions having been confirmed overnight.<\/p>\n
Both are significant. Coach Chris Duncan targeted a top ten slot for his squad some time ago, and they are within touching distance. Top six in Europe also carries a significant reward as that guarantees a quarter-final slot in the next European Championship. Heady times, indeed, for the Tartan Hearts.<\/p>\n
The two-hour plus transfer from Wavre in Belgium, where they have been housed since the start of the World Cup, to Amsterdam carries new challenges, a new hotel, new facilities, new pitch and other possible distractions, ahead of Thursday\u2019s final World Cup match against Japan.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s at 11.30am on Thursday in the Wagener Hockey Stadium in the Dutch capital and victory would secure 11th spot in the 16-strong World Cup. Something to savour as Scotland have not been in the event for 24 long years. They have made their mark here.<\/p>\n
However, there is work to do yet. Back-to-back wins against Ireland (2-1) and New Zealand (2-1) in Pool H have certainly lifted the Scots after finishing bottom of Pool B following defeats to Germany (3-0), ranked No 5 in the world, America (3-2), tenth, and Argentina (2-0), the second rated team on the planet.<\/p>\n
Coach Chris Duncan warned there is still work to do against well-organised Japan, currently 13th in the world, one place below New Zealand.<\/p>\n
The Japanese side lost narrowly 3-2 to England in Amsterdam on Sunday, battling back from 2-0 and 3-1 down. England are seventh in the world and that underlines that the team from East Asia are\u00a0 force.<\/p>\n
Japan, therefore, cannot be taken lightly and Duncan fully appreciates the significance of the game. Yes, he wants to finish the World Cup competition on a high, but the sixth place in Europe is a huge incentive that is why he wants his squad to display a thoroughly professional attitude against a side which will show different attributes to the countries they have faced so far.<\/p>\n
Scotland last played Japan in March last year in the FIH Nations Cup and won 2-0 with goals from Olympian Amy Costello and Fiona Burnet to finish fifth in that tournament in Chile.<\/p>\n
At that time, Japan were ranked three place ahead of the Scots, but victory pushed the Tartan Hearts up to 15th in the world.<\/p>\n
Now, they are almost in the top ten, and Duncan desperately wants to continue that upward movement.<\/p>\n
This, however, has been a long tournament, physically and mentally, with five really testing games since Saturday, August 15, and with a squad who are not fully-professional. Most have jobs outside the sport. This is, in effect, their hobby.<\/p>\n
There is a real steel in the camp and Scotland captain, Sarah Robertson, before they left for World Cup, said the team were determined to show Scottish hockey at its best in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Now, they are desperate to finish this competition with a big performance.<\/p>\n
Lothians-based Duncan said: \u201cMoving to Amsterdam, a change of environment, change of pitch, change of facilities, and we face a well-organised team with a different style. Japan are quick, they are a real challenge. These are all challenges which we are determined to overcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have played well in games against Germany, USA and Argentina. We have beaten Ireland and New Zealand and now we have, once again, to approach the game in the correct manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need one more big performance, a complete 60 minutes and that would mean so much to all of us as a squad and to the fans here and at home who have supported us on this journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAIN PICTURE: Scotland line-up for the National Anthem at Peffermill before a recent international. All pictures by Nigel Duncan<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CAPTAIN: Sarah Robertson drives for goal during a recent international.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/scotwmckenzie.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
STAND-OUTS: Charlotte Watson (left) and Ellie MacKenzie (right) have been key players during the tournament<\/p>\n
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