Nelson Celebrates 200 Matches for the Hockeyroos
As the Hockeyroos prepare for their Hawke’s Bay Cup campaign in New Zealand, a youthful Australian outfit has defeated China 3-1 in Perth as Ash Nelson celebrated her 200th international match.
Nelson was one of the select few senior members in action for Australia against China, allowing the Olympian to celebrate a personal milestone in front of a home crowd, before she and her Hockeyroos’ teammates tackle the eight nation Hawke’s Bay Cup competition in New Zealand starting April 2.
Nelson – a dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist – took to social media following the Hockeyroos’ win to thank her supporters.
“Pretty blessed to have played 200 games and walk away with a 3-1 win. Felt so lucky to have family and friends there as they have all been so integral to my journey as a Hockeyroo, she said via Instagram.
In a side with an average age of just 22, it was one of the Hockeyroos’ more experienced campaigners, Kellie White, still just 24, who opened the scoring with her first goal since returning earlier this year from knee surgery.
Wang Mengyu’s leveller shortly before three-quarter time might have derailed the Australian women but 21 year-old Laura Barden struck early in the fourth period to restore the advantage.
Soon after, Savannah Fitzpatrick, also 21, made sure of the result with her first senior international goal.
Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens said, “It’s really pleasing to get the win, although it wasn’t a particularly polished performance. We scored some good goals from counter attacks but we gave China too many opportunities.
“It was a bit disjointed but that was a symptom of this group not having played together and having a mix of some of our Olympic squad and some younger players for the future. Overall, it’s been really worthwhile. We grew a lot over the practice matches this week into tonight’s Test.
The Hockeyroos departed last Sunday for the Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand, an eight nation invitational event featuring fellow Olympic qualifiers New Zealand, China, Japan, Korea and India, as well as Canada and Ireland. The tournament runs 2-10 April 2016.
-with HockeyAus