Scotland 0-2 South Africa KILBARCHAN’S Michael Bremner got his Commonwealth Games off to a losing start but it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

Bremner took to the field as the Scottish men’s hockey side opened their Commonwealth campaign with a 2-0 defeat.

And, the 22-year-old hardly put a foot wrong as Scotland looked to frustrated the South Africans.

The early exchanges showed Scotland weren’t willing to let their opponents overrun them on the defensive with Bremner holding firm at the back alongside Daniel Coultas and David Forsyth in defence.

South Africa were heavy favourites going in to the game, being ranked 12th in the world whereas Scotland are currently ranked outside the top 20.

However, that didn’t stop the Scots with early chances for Kenny Bain going forward. The host even thought they had the lead with only 12 minutes played when Nick Parkes’ reverse stick strike was chalked off for a foot inside the circle. The strike had originally been awarded only for it to be disallowed by the video official.

The first half saw attacks swing from end to end, but South Africa failed to make the breakthrough with the best opportunity of the half.

South Africa were awarded a penalty corner for a foot but Jamie Cachia held his nervy and made a terrific save to parry the ball away and keep the sides level at the break.

The free flowing hockey continued into the second period but it was to be the visitors who would make the crucial breakthrough after 41 minutes from the penalty spot.

They had originally been awarded a penalty corner which was illegally blocked on the line by Ross Stott’s shoulder — so it was to the penalty stroke line were Andrew Cronje slotted past Cachia in goal.

By this point the heat started to take its toll on the players as the game slowed and despite great chances for Andrew Forsyth and Kenny Bain, Scotland couldn’t capitalise on the possession they could muster.

A penalty corner for Scotland was well saved by Erasmus Pieterse in goal and in a cruel twist of fate South Africa doubled their advantage through Ignatuis Malgraff, with a fine strike from the dead ball line.