FIH Hockey Pro League
HOCKEYROOS v SPAIN
Despite slightly rainy conditions, a massive crowd rolled up to Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday evening, providing an amazing atmosphere as the Hockeyroos claimed their third straight win in the FIH Pro League with a 3-1 win over a gallant Spain.
It was a big day for the Australian national teams, with a number of recently retired players being honoured at halftime of the earlier men Kookaburras game, including Olympians Jane Claxton, Brooke Peris and Renee Taylor (pictured below).
The experienced Mariah Williams returned to the lineup after missing Thursday night’s clash with China, but it was one of the new members of the team who was straight into the action. Having scored on debut on Wednesday, Jade Smith made it two international goals when a deflection early in the contest gave the Hockeyroos a 1-0 lead.
From then on, the young Spanish squad worked their way back into the game, creating opportunities of their own, and shortly before quarter time found an equalising goal when a cross into the circle found the outstretched stick of Sofia Rogoski, who found the back of the goal. For Australia, Karri Somerville was relentless, winning some important one-on-one duels in defence and, alongside Lucy Sharman, organising the home side’s structure going forward.
Spain more than matched it with the higher ranked Australia, and actually headed to halftime with three penalty corners to none, and had it not been for some desperation from goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram, the visitors could have easily taken the lead before the main break.
It was a different Hockeyroos to start the third quarter. Courtney Schonell, who had scored in each of the team’s two other matches in the series, had a couple of early chances in the quarter but couldn’t convert. With seven minutes to go in the quarter, a counter attack from Spain saw one of their players in the open with only goalkeeper Bartram to beat. But the shotshopper was up to the task, pulling off another excellent save.
It proved a turning point, as just a minute later the Hockeyroos won their first penalty corner of the match. They executed well, and despite the initial shot being blocked, the Spanish defence was unable to diffuse the situation, and the ball was tapped home. The official scoring awarded the goal to Maddi Brooks, however Hockeyroos players congratulated Greta Hayes, and speaking with her after the match, Greta was surprised the goal was awarded to Brooks.
Carrying the momentum, Australia threatened to extend the lead. Player of the Match Grace Stewart provided an excellent cross for Schonell whose shot was only denied by the right post of the goal, and the hosts clung to a 2-1 lead at the final break.
Australia gave themselves some breathing space early in the final quarter when star Claire Colwill scored her second goal of the series with a well taken penalty corner, and it was only a great outstretched save from the Spanish keeper which kept out Courtney Schonell’s bullet shot from finding the top left corner.
The Hockeyroos won the match 3-1, and post game Greta Hayes shared how the team turned it around after a less than convincing first half:
“We went out in the first half - wasn’t our best half of hockey - we came together at half time, we spoke about how we wanted to change our press with the intensity and really put it out on the field in the second half. We worked hard off the ball and it gave us the rewards on-ball.”
It was a big night for local girl Greta, who is based in Perth with the national squad, and was delighted with how her home town showed up to create a great atmosphere:
“Honestly, growing up here, I played so many games in this stadium, and I have to say, I have never seen it as busy as it was tonight. I’m so proud that the Sydney fans came out loud and proud tonight. tonight was incredible.”
The Hockeyroos play one more game in the home leg of the Pro League on Sunday evening against China, having secured a penalty shootout win earlier in the week against the same opponents. Greta shared the team’s plan for that match:
“We’re just going to have to go back and recover really well tonight, because obviously China’s had their rest day today. We reviewed the [previous] game we had against China - there were good patches, but there’s definitely things we can take from that game and take into tomorrow, so hopefully we can put that out onto the pitch.”
