After a tough 0-0 draw with India, the Hockeyroos booked their place in the semi-final onwards draw of the FIH Hockey World Cup. Australia had one point to play for, and they didn’t disappoint in defence, a game in which they faced challenges in combination to create chances of this nature.
The competition was quite close in the opening 25 minutes with both sides unable to establish their territorial dominance in the vital space. It looked like Australia had the lead but India’s was successful in referring the item and the goal was withdrawn. The score was tied at 0-0 in the first break.
The battle raged in the same manner throughout the 2nd quarter. Both Australia and India kicked penalties which both failed to convert. Very good defending from both sides kept the deadlock from being broken at the very earliest at half-time.
Australia had a window of opportunity to get past the deadlock again in the third quarter when Steph Kershaw got to the back of the net. But an umpire referral determined the effort wasn’t dangerous and the goal stood. It has been the familiar “late-in-the-quarter” situation for the Hockeyroos, though, as they have been left scrambling for breaks to put the game away.
In the Australian lead the pursuit, they picked it up once again for another penalty corner but again a block in Indian defence persisted. They also made a late tactical decision regarding the number of players in the field, barring their goalkeeper, as qualification would depend on their case, as well.
Australia had an enormous opportunity to score, but it was denied with a penalty corner with no goal for the Indians. However, the Hockeyroos could not take advantage of the chance. But though he managed to escape Australia was composed and found the net several minutes later.
The final whistle saw the deadline and the Australians entered the final four. Now with a ticket to the World Cup final in the cards, the Hockeyroos will play Argentina, Belgium or Spain in the semi-final Thursday, 28 August at 4.30am EST.
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