China Give Aussies Hockeyblues

Australia’s Hockeyroos have been eliminated from the medal rounds of the 2008 Beijing Olympics after hosts China advanced via superior goal difference following the sides 2-2 draw in last night’s final group match.

It was a bitter blow for the Aussie girls after they had fought back from a two goal deficit to level the scores with seven minutes remaining, and after a late flurry of attacks on the Chinese goal, a second successive Olympic campaign without a medal was confirmed.

Western Australia was again well served with Kim Walker, Hope Munro, Kobie McGurk, Emily Halliday and Shelley Liddelow all featuring in the cut throat fixture, and the result could have been so different.

The Hockeyroos controlled large portions of the first half but would be made to rue two golden opportunities that went begging. China in contrast grasped their first opening with both hands and with Australia shell-shocked went further ahead after the Hockeyroos defence failed to clear a low hit into the danger zone.

Hockeyroos Coach, Frank Murray reserved credit for the Chinese team but also touched on Australia’s wasteful finishing.

“It’s disappointing but we can’t deny China their right to be in the final,” Murray said. “We had a couple of golden opportunities in the first half and didn’t convert them. You can’t miss those sorts of chances. But I am very proud of them.

It was the second half for which this game will be remembered, as will second half comebacks become the legacy of this side, having twice earlier in the competition risen from the ashes to win. But this would prove one comeback too many, after Casey Eastham and Madonna Blyth had given hope back to the team. The match ended in frenzy with two Chinese players given their marching orders following heated exchanges with the officials.

China and Holland progressed from the group and will battle against Germany and Argentina in the medal rounds.