Hockeyroos bounce back to win shootout over Netherlands
Published Mon 12 Jun 2023
The Hockeyroos have shown huge resilience and fighting spirit to prevail over the world number one ranked Netherlands in a shootout after scores were locked 3-3 at full time.
The 2-1 shootout result capped off a morale boosting performance from the Hockeyroos after the Netherlands put seven goals past them on Thursday.
The Hockeyroos’ achievement was the first time a team has taken points off the Netherlands in the current FIH Pro League season, while they also inflicted the Dutch’s first shootout loss since the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Substitute goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram was the hero in the shootout as the Hockeyroos had contributors right across the pitch and went toe to toe with the current benchmark in women’s world hockey.
The home side started on the front foot and took an early advantage through Maria Verschoor in the 6th minute.
From the first penalty corner of the game, great defensive lead running from Grace Young blocked Frederique Matla’s drag flick as the Netherlands looked to double their lead.
The Hockeyroos’ best early chance came when a pinpoint aerial ball from Penny Squibb found Courtney Schonell in the circle, but she blazed her effort high and wide.
In the shadows of quarter time the Hockeyroos won their first penalty corner and it led to them equalising. Claire Colwill sent in a low drag flick and Brooke Peris was quickest to react, knocking it home from inside a metre.
Aleisha Power made a crucial save from a swift Netherlands counterattack to keep scores level, but the Hockeyroos goalkeeper could do nothing about Yibbi Jansen’s powerful shot from a well disguised penalty corner routine to give the Dutch the lead again.
However, the Hockeyroos were determined to ensure there would be no repeat of Thursday’s score line as they drew level again in the 22nd minute.
Again it came from a penalty corner. Initially shaping up to take the drag flick, Squibb sent the ball to Colwill to fire in a shot and Rosie Malone got the deftest of touches to put it in the back of the net.
Having come from behind twice, the Hockeyroos then suddenly found themselves ahead in the 28th minute. A searching ball across from Peris was fended away by the Netherlands goalkeeper, the ball came out to Young who found Maddison Brooks with a sublime pass behind her, and Brooks cannoned her shot into the net.
The goal exemplified the Hockeyroos’ intent and level of hockey they were playing at. However, the Netherlands would draw level a minute later when Felice Albers struck with a stunning tomahawk from just inside the attacking D to end a highly entertaining first half.
A brilliant reflex save from Power denied Verschoor her second in the 38th minute as both sides created chances to snatch the lead back.
Despite the hot conditions, the Hockeyroos continued to pressure the Netherlands and afford them less time on the ball, Colwill diffusing a couple of threatening Dutch forays forward.
A winner was not forthcoming as the full time siren sounded, sending the match to be decided by a shootout.
Bartram came in goal for the Hockeyroos for the shootout and kept out four of the Netherlands’ five attempts as successful efforts from Malone and Steph Kershaw were enough to clinch the bonus point.
“I’m really proud of the girls. To bounce back like that after the first game takes real resilience and strength and I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the team,” said Peris.
“Leading into the game we spoke about getting our connections up, staying stronger on the ball and playing our game for as long we can.
“We knew it was going to be hot, so we just made sure we kept doing the right things.”
“It’s always exciting when the game ends in shootouts, you never know which way it’s going to go so it was great to come out on top.”
The Hockeyroos now head to Antwerp for their final two matches of the FIH Pro League 2022-23 Season against Belgium. The matches can be seen LIVE on FOX Sports and Kayo.
Match Details
Netherlands 3 (Verschoor 6’, Jansen 20’, Albers 29’)
Hockeyroos 3 (Peris 15’, Malone 22’, Brooks 28’)
Hockeyroos win shootout 2-1
@ Oranje-Rood Stadium, Eindhoven
Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 2.Rosie Malone, 3.Brooke Peris, 4.Amy Lawton, 5.Grace Young, 6.Penny Squibb, 7.Aleisha Power (gk), 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 13.Hattie Shand, 14.Stephanie Kershaw, 15.Kailtin Nobbs (c), 16.Courtney Schonell, 18.Jane Claxton, 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 22.Tatum Stewart, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 35.Maddison Brooks, 44.Abby Wilson
