Hockeyroos Edged for Bronze in Penalty Shoot-Out

The Hockeyroos have been denied a bronze medal at the 2013 Investec Challenge in South Africa after suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of England.

A shoot-out was required to split the difference after regulation and extra-time couldn’t separate the teams, with a fast paced and exciting clash finishing 2-2.

England would hold its nerve better in the shoot-out however, and in doing so, claim the bronze medal, that had seemed unlikely until a 68^th minute goal to Susie Gilbert had sent the match into extra-time.

Head Coach Adam Commens used this tournament to provide eight London Olympians continued exposure to the world’s best teams and give an opportunity to younger and less experienced members of the 2013 National Squad a taste for international hockey at the top level.

Commens is confident his group is on the path to success, adding that “there has been some very positive signs from this team and we once again exposed some promising players.”

A dominant first half by the Hockeyroos begun with a magnificent field goal from AIS-WAIS athlete Fiona Boyce in the 24^thminute. Continued pressure and controlling runs down the right provided the Hockeyroos with plenty of opportunities but failed to capitalise again before the half time break (1-0).

A slow start to the second half cost the Hockeyroos their lead with England equalising in the 44^th minute through Georgie Parker (1-1).

A quick response from international tournament debutant Kirsten Johnson gave the Hockeyroos the lead again in the 52nd minute (2-1).

In the final ten minutes of the match, England pressed hard and attacked the Hockeyroos goal on numerous occasions. However, it was the Hockeyroos who failed to close the game out with 7 minutes to go, missing two penalty corner shots.

England’s press paid off in the 68^th minute, earning a penalty stroke. The decision would cost the Hockeyroos their lead and leave scores tied 2-all at full time (2-2).

A fast and furious extra time saw both teams give everything they had to take home the bronze medal, but to no avail. A failure to find a golden goal winner meant the bronze medal match would head to a penalty shoot-out and provide the crowd with the excitement they came to see.

Earlier:

Two magnificent goals by South African legend Pietie Coetzee squashed the Hockeroos plans of playing in the final of the 2013 Investec Challenge in Cape Town.

Current goals world record holder, Coetzee’s, scored her262nd international goal from as many matches, forcing theHockeyroos on the back foot early, down 2-0 at half time.

Strikes in the 12th and 35th minute from Coetzee set up a clash between the hosts South Africa and world number one, Netherlands.

In a match where the Hockeyroos created plenty of goal scoring opportunities and held possession for the majority of the match, coach Adam Commens was obviously disappointed with the result but showed a positive outlook for the bronze medal match against England.

“It was an improved performance from our first match against them and it was unfortunate not to get the result today.”

“We look forward to the opportunity to play against England again. We’ve won 3-1 on our last two outings so we’ll be hoping to replicate our recent form against them.”

The Hockeroos scored a consolation in the 70th minute through 2009 World Young Player of the Year, Casey Eastham.

Experienced campaigners Teneal Attard and Jodie Schulz provided the best defense for the Hockeyroos, alongside young gun Jordyn Holzberger who was flown over to South Africa after the first game to replace injured Victorian Claire Messent.

– Hockey Australia