Slattery Double Sends Aussies Through to Quarter Finals

A Kathryn Slattery double has helped the Hockeyroos to a 4-1 win over Spain in their final group stage match at the World League Semi Final in the Belgium.

Chasing qualification for next year’s World Cup, the Hockeyroos returned to form after falling to a 2-0 defeat in their previous match with New Zealand.

Slattery – a 2016 Rio Olympian – found the breakthrough goal for Australia in the 28th minute only for Spain to score moments later.

The South Stirling product found space again on 38 minutes to restore Australia’s lead, one which the Hockeyroos would not squander, with Georgie Morgan and Emily Smith rounding out a three goal win for the team.

With his team now preparing for a quarter final on Thursday, coach Paul Gaudoin said his team would be looking to sharpen ahead of the business end of the tournament.

“It was pleasing to get the win today, the girls worked hard and were pretty disciplined. I think we deserved to win the match, however there are still lots of little things that we want to improve on.

“Today we just wanted to get the win on the board, and to get the three points and that’s what we’ve done. Now we want to make sure we’re setting ourselves up for a great quarter final with all the learnings we’ve made along the way.”

The Australian squad contains Slattery’s fellow West Aussie teammate Georgia Wilson, who is representing in her first senior international series.