HOCKEY: The Hockeyroos lost their World League quarter-final in dramatic circumstances as they relinquished a two goal half time advantage over Germany to draw 2-2 before going down in a shoot-out.
Georgia Nanscawen and Kathryn Slattery had put the Australian women in the driving seat but a double from German captain Lisa Altenberg, including the equaliser less than 60 seconds from full time, forced the shoot-out lottery.
Germany goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds, who was impressive throughout, proved the difference, denying Australia on three occasions in the shoot-out.
Australia’s women will now face either Great Britain or the Netherlands in the battle for fifth place in the early hours (AEDT) of Sunday morning. It will be the Brits unless the Dutch lose to hosts Argentina in their quarter-final later today.
Despite the result, Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens said there were some pleasing elements in the team’s performance, acknowledging “it’s a timely message on how tight international hockey is.”
He said, “It was a really good performance for 50 to 55 minutes. In the end Germany threw everything at us and some crucial errors in defence let them in.
“I thought we played our best hockey of the tournament in the first three quarters but our inexperience in crucial moments late in the game played a part. We will learn from it though and overall I’m really pleased with the growth of our group here.
“They [Germany] had one penalty corner and a handful of chances to our seven corners and numerous other opportunities. If we had executed more of those we would have put the game away by three-quarter time.”
Nanscawen’s perfect tip-in at the near post six minutes in was the perfect start for the Hockeyroos; the connection from Ashleigh Nelson’s cross giving Australia’s women the lead with their first open play goal of the tournament.
Reynolds gave a preview of the role she would ultimately play in the match with a number of excellent saves in the first half as she denied Jodie Kenny, Jane Claxton and Emily Smith before Slattery doubled the Australian advantage.
From a penalty corner, Reynolds’ save from Kenny’s flick fell to Eddie Bone who had the composure to square a pass to Claxton. And it was Claxton’s goal-bound shot that Slattery applied the final touch to for 2-0.
At the half time break Commens asked his side to tighten up in defence and improve their efficiency up front but the final quarter played out differently.
Reynolds again denied the likes of Kenny and Brooke Peris after half time while Germany’s own attacking opportunities were limited. But with a minute remaining in the third quarter Lisa Altenberg found herself with time and space inside the Australian circle to fire home and halve the deficit.
The momentum swung. With the game entering its latter stages it was Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch who was the busier as Australia found themselves on the back foot. A triple save midway through the period, followed soon after by another block, maintained the slender advantage.
Less than 60 seconds from full time and a semi-final meeting with New Zealand, the Australian defence was breached for the second time. A missed trap in the defensive circle saw the ball go through to the goalkeeper, who had to make the save but could only watch as Altenberg picked up the rebound and slotted home from close range.
Madonna Blyth and Julia Muller both netted their initial shoot-out efforts. Jodie Kenny then hit the crossbar from a penalty stroke after Georgia Nanscawen had been fouled by Reynolds. Lynch denied Marie Mavers and successfully appealed to the video umpire to overturn a Jana Teschke goal but Reynolds’ saves from Kirstin Dwyer, Mariah Williams and Jodie Kenny consigned the Hockeyroos to defeat.
Quarter Final Results
China 3-1 Korea
New Zealand 2-1 Great Britain
Australia 2-2 Germany (Germany win 2-1 on shoot-out)
Netherlands v Argentina
Semi Final & Classification Fixtures
To be confirmed following conclusion of quarter finals
Hockeyroos' squad v Germany
Started
Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT) 87/2
Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 314/68
Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 76/6
Kirstin Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 88/8
Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 152/92
Karri McMahon (Berri, SA) 83/8
Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 19/2
Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 166/33
Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 31/9
Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 133/56
Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 27/4
Ashlee Wells (Moe, VIC) 61/0
Used Substitute
Madison Fitzpatrick (Cabarita Beach, NSW) [QAS athlete] 9/3
Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC) 133/0
Gabrielle Nance (Kingscliff, NSW) [SASI athlete] 14/1
Ashleigh Nelson (Wagin, WA) 189/66
Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 68/12
Unused Substitute
Renee Taylor (Everton Park, QLD) 6/0
Hockey Australia
