Hockeyroos Edged in Series Opener
The Hockeyroos were defeated by World Number eight Korea 4-2 this evening in the opening match of their Four Match Series in Perth.
A supportive crowd turned out to watch the Hockeyroos in their first hit-out on the replica Olympic Games blue pitch at Shenton Park.
The Hockeyroos began the match brightly with two excellent opportunities in the opening minutes through Megan Rivers and AIS-WAIS athlete Hope Munro. The Koreans fought back quickly opening up the scoring with a great field goal in the fifth minute through Kim Jong Eun.
The 38 degree weather did not hinder the players endeavour or determination at the ball, with the match played at a frenetic pace which suited Korea early who managed to control the ball better in the first 10 minutes.
The Hockeyroos settled after the Korean goal and pressured the tourist defenders on a number of occasions. The relentless pressure forced an equalizer through Emily Smith in the 12th minute. The Hockeyroos continued to press hard in the back-end of the first half forcing the Korean goal-keeper to make some excellent saves. An even first half saw the half time interval arrive at 1-1.
The second half mirrored the beginning of the first half with Korea scoring a second goal in the opening minutes. The resultant goal seemed to motivate the Hockeyroos who pulled together an outstanding six minute burst, securing three Penalty Corners opportunities.
The first attempt smashed the cross-bar from a fierce drag flick from Anna Flanagan, but it was eventually the third penalty corner that secured the Hockeyroos an equalizer through Casey Eastham in the 46th minute.
The Koreans gained the ascendancy in the 52nd minute through a great field goal to Cheon Eun Bi. It was only three minutes later when the Koreans scored their fourth goal for the match through their opening goal scorer Kim Jong Eun. The 4-2 lead and hot weather conditions were enough to halt any late surge from the Hockeyroos.
Hockeyroos Head coach Adam Commens said “It was a solid performance for 50 minutes and there were periods during the game where we were great,” he said. “If you’re not at 100% against teams like Korea, they find a way to hurt you.”
AIS-WAIS athletes Kobie McGurk and Jayde Taylor both played in the match for the Hockeyroos.
In an earlier match, Australia A defeated Korean club team, Korea Telecom, 4-1 in the blistering Perth heat.
Australia A opened the scoring through Brooke Peris in the final minute of the first half. Peris continued her good form, setting up a goal for Hockeyroos National Squad member Emily Hurtz in the first 30 seconds of the second half. A frenetic final 10 minutes saw Korea score a goal to halve the margin, but Australia A quickly responded to round out a 4-1 win.
The Hockeyroos will face Korea in the second test match today, with Australia A again facing Korea Telecom in the curtain raiser from 3pm at Shenton Park.
-Hockey Australia
