Hockeyroos Take Strangle Hold in Six Test Series with China
The Hockeyroos have taken a strangle hold on their six test series against China, dominating China to claim the third match of the series 3-0 in Bunbury today.
The win is the Hockeyroos’ third straight win over China during the series and sees them undefeated to date during the series.
As they had done in both games to date during the series the Hockeyroos started the stronger of the two teams, doing the majority of their damage early after scoring three goals within the first 15 minutes.
Casey Eastham got things started early, earning a penalty corner which was eventually converted by young gun Georgia Nanscawen in her 50th international match.
The Hockeyroos continued to make the most of their momentum, earning another penalty corner only minutes after their first goal. Australia was again able to convert, with Anna Flanagan continuing to build her reputation as a world class penalty corner specialist and giving the Hockeyroos a 2-0 thanks to a straight flick.
With the Hockeyroos well in control of the game, it was Kate Hollywood who next stood up in her return series to the Hockeyroos team, converting Australia’s third penalty corner to make it 3-0 as the Hockeyroos looked dangerous.
China eventually worked themselves into the game and produced to genuine shots on goal and penalty corner opportunities towards the end of the first half, that could have got them back in the game of not for some great saves from goalkeeper Kate Hubble which ensured the Hockeyroos kept their 3-0 lead going into half time.
The Hockeyroos continued to push, having a number of great build ups and near chances, but goals proved to be harder to come by as the game went on.
Regardless, the hard work had already been done with the Hockeyroos claiming yet another win against the world number four team.
Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said it was pleasing to beat a team China’s quality three games in a row.
“To beat a team of China’s quality three games in a row is a very good achievement, particularly when you consider the fact that we are using 36 players throughout this series and there have been so many changes made between games. I think it’s a testament to the depth of our squad. I think we performed well and our intensity in the first 20 minutes was great however our skill level and our structures dropped away after that. It was great to score those three early goals and continue to convert our penalty corners,” said Commens.
Earlier –
The Hockeyroos have backed up their impressive 3-1 win over China with another solid performance, holding on for a1-0 win in Busselton to take a two game lead in the six test series.
Both teams were evenly matched and with China already a game down in the series, they entered the match determined to find a win. The Hockeyroos were equally looking to prove their previous result was no fluke.
After an even 20 minutes it was China who were given the first chance to score, taking a penalty corner which fortunately for the Hockeyroos smacked into the cross bar on the second attempt.
The Hockeyroos were then given their first penalty corner with two minutes remaining in the first half, however China’s defence proved too good with the scores remaining 0-0 at half time.
Only minutes into the second half the Hockeyroos gained the lead they desperately wanted, with Jodie Schulz, coming off two goals in the first game of the series, stepping up to convert yet another penalty corner to make it 1-0.
The Hockeyroos continued to look dangerous while moving forward, but their inability to convert left a gap open for China to get back in the game. However the Hockeyroos were able to hang on, taking the win and continuing to build their confidence as the London Olympics approaches.
-Hockey Australia
