Hockeyroos to take on host nation in World Cup Quarter Final

The Hockeyroos face a mouth watering quarter final showdown against Spain at 5.30am AEST on Thursday after the host nation defeated India to win through to the last eight of the tournament.

Having secured direct passage to the quarter finals after finishing top of Pool D, the Hockeyroos have not played since last Thursday and head into the elimination match well rested and primed for the challenge that awaits.

Spain defeated the Hockeyroos in the Bronze Medal match at the last World Cup in 2018. But four years on, this is a vastly different and youthful Hockeyroos team that is moulding its own identity.

“These are the matches you play in these big tournaments for and the ones you want to be part of,” said Hockeyroos Head Coach Katrina Powell.

“Coming into the World Cup having only played four internationals against New Zealand this year, it was always going to be about improving with each game which we have done.”

“Now everything goes up another gear and we need to match what Spain bring to the contest and better it.”

Adding further significance is that the match will be Jane Claxton’s 200th Hockeyroos appearance.

The 29 year old co-captain has been a stalwart for the Hockeyroos since making her debut in April 2013.

A dual Olympian who will compete at her third Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Claxton missed the 2018 World Cup due to a hamstring injury.

“Jane has been a fantastic player for the Hockeyroos from the day she first wore the uniform,” said Powell.

“She is a consummate professional, leaves no stone unturned to get best out of herself and the players around her, and the sole reason she plays the game is to achieve team success.”

“Jane is the last person that would want a big deal made of an individual milestone but getting to 200 games for your country is a magnificent achievement, so hopefully we celebrate it with a positive result against Spain.”

The Hockeyroos only conceded one goal in their three pool matches heading into the quarter finals. Powell knows they will have to be at their best in this area, and every facet of the game to quell a Spain side that scored nine goals in the pool stage and will be urged on by a parochial home crowd.

“Spain have played some excellent hockey so far and are match hardened having competed in the FIH Pro League leading into the tournament, which is something we missed out on because of COVID restrictions,” said Powell.

“We are well aware of what we are up against, but our group is in a really good space physically and mentally and won’t be leaving anything out on the pitch.”

As Powell stated in the days before the tournament, this Hockeyroos group wants to honour the legacy of the two times Australia has lifted the World Cup trophy previously (in 1994 and 1998), while also forging its own history.

Defeating Spain on home soil and reaching the semi finals would be another momentous step towards achieving both.

Official FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 website.

FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022
Quarter Final Match Details
Hockeyroos v Spain
Terrassa Olympic Stadium, Spain
5:30am AEST, Thursday 14 July (9:30pm, Wednesday 13 July local time)

Broadcast: Watch every match of the 2022 Women’s World Cup LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel & Kayo.

Hockeyroos v Spain - Overall Record
Played 56; Won 42, Drawn 9, Lost 5

Last time they met
25 July 2021 (Olympic Games)
Hockeyroos 3 (Malone 31’, Chalker 32’, Stewart 37’)
Spain 1 (Perez 33’)

Hockeyroos Results - FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022
3 July 2022
Hockeyroos 2 (Williams 56’, Malone 60’)
Japan 0

6 July 2022
Belgium 0
Hockeyroos 2 (Hayes 39’, Greiner 40’)

7 July 2022
Hockeyroos 2 (Squibb 8’, Malone 24’)
South Africa 1 (du Plessis 13’)