Hockeyroos in Great Escape

The Hockeyroos, featuring five WA athletes, have orchestrated an amazing comeback to open their Beijing campaign with a 5-4 victory over Korea.

West Australians Emily Halliday, Kobie McGurk, Hope Munro, Kim Walker and late inclusion Shelley Liddelow all played in the victory, with Liddelow the star with two crucial goals.

Taking to the pitch at the Beijng Olympic Green stadium the Australians looked shellshocked early, dropping to a suprise 4-1 deficit by half time. The Koreans used the counter attack to great effect, scoring goals in the 18th, 27th, 32nd and 34th minutes while the Aussies could only manage a single goal in the first half through former Manjimup local Liddelow in the 25th minute.

A half time re-shuffle by coach Frank Murray had the desired result not long into the second half as the 1988, 1996 and 2000 Olympic champions clawed their way back into the match.

Co-captain Nikki Hudson reduced the deficit to two goals with a reverse stick effort in the 47th minute before just three minutes later Liddelow snared her second field goal to make the score 4-3.

With twenty minutes left in the match the momentum was cleary with Australia and they capitalised, scoring their fourth and fifth goals in the 56th and 65th minutes to Sarah Young and Casey Eastham respectively as they secured a vital 5-4 win.

The Hockeyroos will be back in action on Tuesday against Spain.