Early goals enough for China to defeat gallant Hockeyroos
Published Sat 25 Mar 2023
Two first half goals have given China a 2-0 win over the Hockeyroos in the second of the 3-match series at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University tonight.
Heading into the match with an average of just 25 international appearances among the 18 players to take the pitch, the Hockeyroos found themselves on the back foot in the first half.
China had a two goal lead inside 16 minutes through Bingfeng Gu and Xindan Zang as the visitors had six penalty corners in the opening half an hour.
Aleisha Power replaced Zoe Newman in goal for the second half and she was called upon to pad away a goal bound effort early in the third quarter to keep the deficit at two.
The Hockeyroos enjoyed a dominant eight minute period in the third quarter, winning some consecutive penalty corners but they could not find a way through a stubborn China defence.
Through quicker ball movement and creativity in their attacking half, the Hockeyroos continued to threaten but time and again their best endeavours were thwarted by a China team that is proving well drilled under coach and former Hockeyroo Alyson Annan.
A committed Courtney Schonell flashed a shot just wide of the target after an assist by Hannah Cullum-Sanders in the final quarter.
Urged on by a parochial home crowd, the Hockeyroos kept on the offensive and remained defensively sound at the other end but could not cut into China’s lead.
Playing in just her second international, Morgan Gallagher said it was another valuable hit out.
“It was a big learning experience. The tempo of the game was quite high and we spoke about putting in the work rate and the work ethic but keeping the quality of our skills high,” said Gallagher.
“At half time we spoke about getting more circle entries after we entered the attacking 25 and how we can have more variety moving into the circle to have those goal scoring opportunities.”
The final match of the series, presented by JDH, is at 4pm local time tomorrow and will be broadcast LIVE on beIN Sports (via Foxtel, KAYO, Fetch and beIN SPORTS CONNECT) and LIVEHockey.
Match Details
Hockeyroos 0
China 2 (Bingfeng Gu 8’, Xindan Zang 16’)
@ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University
Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 4.Amy Lawton, 5.Grace Young, 6.Penny Squibb (c), 7.Aleisha Power (gk), 8.Georgia Wilson, 9.Shanea Tonkin, 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 11.Meg Pearce, 12.Greta Hayes, 16.Courtney Schonell, 22.Tatum Stewart, 28.Hannah Cullum-Sanders, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 35.Maddison Brooks, 37.Morgan Gallagher, 41.Zoe Newman (gk), 44.Abby Wilson
Match 3 - Sunday 26 March
Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University, Start time 4pm (7pm AEDT)
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