Second Half Fightback Secures IFOH Title for Hockeyroos
Australia has overturned a halftime deficit to record a 3-1 win over India and claim the inaugural International Festival of Hockey title in Melbourne.
In the final match of the tournament, the Hockeyroos joined the Australian men’s team as IFOH campaign champions, with a spirited second half performance seeing the Australians overturn Vandana Katariya’s 17th minute opener for India, as Broke Peris (39th), Gabi Nance (41) and Jordan Holzberger (58) made sure of victory for the women’s national team.
Hockeyroos interim head coach Jason Duff said the tournament win represented reward for effort for the Australian set up and proved to some of new members that they were international quality.
“It was a fantastic way to finish the series today, we started well, we created a lot of opportunities and then against the run of play India got a goal which tested the resolve of the group.
“I’ve been really impressed with the girls over the two-week period and the way they’ve learnt how to play in a couple of different ways. We want to play open and free, and we want to play attacking. They’ve learnt how to fight and grind, and how to push through a game and find the net late in the game which for me is fantastic.
“The thing that I’m impressed with is that over two weeks we’ve had some girls who may have doubted their ability at an international level but over the six games they’ve proven that they’re more than capable. I think that puts the Hockeyroos in a pretty good place going forward. There’s still a lot of senior players to come back in but now there’s going to be some challenge to them to step up and make some improvements because this group’s certainly on the way.”
The Hockeyroos wore ‘Fair go, sport!’ rainbow coloured socks during the match to support equality in sport, and to promote safe and inclusive sporting environments by promoting awareness and understanding of sexuality and gender diversity.
WA was represented in the Hockeyroos’ IFOH squad by Kathryn Slattery.
-with HockeyAus