Hockeyroos Move Top of Group B in World League Finals

The Hockeyroos have made an encouraging start to their 2013 World League Finals campaign after a 5-1 thumping of China this morning followed a first up 1-1 draw with hosts and world number one Argentina.

First half goals from Victorian Claire Messent and New South Wales’ Kellie White, a brace of close range second half tap-ins from Emily Smith and a late penalty corner from Queenslander Jodie Schulz earned Australia’s women victory over China and placed the team on top of group B.

The Hockeyroos dominated from start to finish, racing into a two goal lead midway through the first half. Their only set-back came in the form of a penalty corner strike by China’s Ting Huang shortly before half time but Emily Smith’s first goal restored Australia’s two goal cushion in the opening minute of the second half. Schulz’s late corner was just reward for her efforts in the opening two matches of the competition.

Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens said afterwards that he was pleased with how his side had performed.

“It was a good team effort,” he said. “I was particularly pleased with our efficiency and our ability to score goals. To score five goals in a tournament game isn’t easy.

“We knew China would be a tricky opponent. They play a very defensive style and make it difficult to get through them and score but we were quite efficient. We could even have scored more but overall I’m pleased “

Commens also expressed his pleasure with the Hockeyroos’ start to the tournament. Having picked up four points from their opening two matches, Commens said, “It’s been a good start to the tournament and it puts us in the position that we can finish top of the pool.”

Looking ahead to the third pool match against rivals New Zealand, he added, “Games against New Zealand are always really difficult. We both know each other very well but we will be looking to implement our plan against them. In the past, both teams have struggled for consistency [at tournaments] – when they do well we haven’t and when we do well they don’t but we know it’ll be a tough match.”

The result lifts the Hockeyroos to the top of Pool B on goal difference, one point ahead of China and level on points with Argentina who recorded only a 2-1 win over New Zealand despite being totally dominant.

The Hockeyroos’ third and final pool phase match comes on Wednesday at 8:30am AEDT / 5:30am AWST against New Zealand, whom the Hockeyroos beat to the Oceania Cup title on a shoot-out last month.

Earlier:

The Hockeyroos drew 1-1 with hosts Argentina in their opening match at the World League Finals in Tucuman on Sunday morning (Saturday evening in Argentina).

After 70 minutes of the thrilling end-to-end attacking spectacle nothing could separate the two sides although that was a much to do with the performances of both defences.

The Hockeyroos fell behind in the 14th minute to Delfina Merino’s near post deflection but as their confidence grew throughout the first half, Australia’s women found themselves deservedly level at 1-1 thanks to an own goal just before the break. Anna Rodriguez was the unfortunate defender that turned Casey Eastham’s cross beyond her goalkeeper under pressure from Kellie White.

A string of top saves from both goalkeepers went a long way to keeping the score down with Hockeyroos’ ‘keeper Rachael Lynch displaying good form on a number of occasions, particularly in the second half.

Afterwards, Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens called it “a really good start” to the tournament, which features the best eight teams in women’s hockey. ‘To draw 1-1 with Argentina at home is a really good start. It was a very intense game and it was clear that both sides wanted to play attacking hockey.

“I thought we began nervously and Argentina were a bit unlucky not to score in the first ten minutes but then we got into a much better rhythm and created some good chances of our own.

“Argentina are a really skilful side but I thought we handled Luciana Aymar and Carla Rebecchi well. They’re always going to create a few chances but in the second half we were better at stopping their counter attacks before they reached our defensive circle. Most of their shots were easily saved, although there was one fantastic save from Rachael Lynch. Overall, we were defensively solid.”

-HockeyAustralia