Hockeyroos Finish Fifth

Australia’s Hockeyroos ended their Olympic campaign on Friday with a hard fought 2-0 win over Great Britain that earned the girls fifth spot for the tournament.

The result was a bit of a disappointment for the girls after finishing fifth at Athens four years ago, but this result is particularly difficult to take considering the group lost only one match to the Netherlands throughout the tournament.

Australia proved too strong for Great Britain in draining heat in China. Madonna Blyth opened the scoring after 29 minutes when she pounced on a deflected cross to give Australia the advantage.

Heading into the second half Great Britain thought they had found an equalizer when they converted a penalty corner, but it was disallowed after TV replays suggested an obstruction on an Australian defender.

It was then Australia’s turn to have an effort disallowed when Hope Munro thought she had put the game beyond Great Britain only to have the goal chalked off, Munro would have the last say five minutes later when she scored the match winner on 67 minutes to finish the Games on a high.

Five West Australians featured foe the Hockeyroos, with Munro joined by Kim Walker, Kobie McGurk, Emily Halliday and Shelley Liddelow.