Tokyo 2020 - Hockeyroos v Spain Preview
Published Sat 24 Jul 2021
The Hockeyroos open their Tokyo 2020 campaign on Sunday (25 July) morning with a tricky assignment against Spain.
Most might consider a lack of international matchplay a disadvantage going into the Olympic Games, but for the Hockeyroos being an unknown entity on the world stage could be an advantage.
The Australian Women’s Hockey Team goes into their opening game having played just six internationals against New Zealand since March last year due to the Covid pandemic.
This is compared to their opponents who narrowly missed the bronze medal at the recent European Championships.
Hockeyroos Coach Katrina Powell believes her team’s low profile leading into the Olympics will ensure their tactics and set plays are a relative mystery, unlike the European teams who were widely seen in the Netherlands in June.
Spain, coached by former English under 21 international Adrian Lock, lost 3-1 in the European play-off for the bronze medal against Belgium.
