Hockeyroos win bronze at 2022 Women’s World Cup

Steph Kershaw and Jocelyn Bartram have inspired the Hockeyroos to a stunning come from behind 2-1 victory over Germany to finish on the podium at the FIH Women’s World Cup 2022.

After falling behind in the 14th minute, Kershaw struck twice in the final quarter to put the Hockeyroos in front and ultimately secure the bronze medal and a third place finish.

At the other end of the pitch, Bartram’s Player of the Match performance between the posts saw her pull off a host of world class saves to keep the Hockeyroos in the match.

The result capped off an excellent tournament for a Hockeyroos squad that is on the way up. The Australians’ only loss came in a 1-0 result against reigning world champions the Netherlands in the semi final.

Required to put the semi final disappointment behind them, the Hockeyroos were on the back foot early against Germany, Bartram required to be at her sharpest to get a crucial boot to a threatening ball directed across the goal face.

The Hockeyroos’ best chance of the opening half came in the 11th minute on the counter attack when Kershaw attempted to pick out Rosie Malone at the back post, but a German defender
managed to get a telling deflection.

Lena Micheel then gave Germany the lead just before quarter time with a well taken shot.

A lightning quick counter attack early in the second half provided Malone with a terrific opportunity to draw the Hockeyroos level but Germany goalkeeper Nathalie Kubalski positioned herself well to diffuse the chance.

The Hockeyroos then had Bartram to thank for not going two goals down when she produced a stunning instinctive save in the 35th minute. Diving to her right, the Australian goalkeeper somehow managed to keep the ball from going in with her outstretched stick.

As the Hockeyroos began to seize the momentum, they won their first penalty corner of the game late in the third quarter, Penny Squibb’s drag flick saved before Malone’s goalbound flick on the rebound was kept out.

Then in the 49th minute Kershaw drew the Hockeyroos level with her first goal of the tournament. Persistent pressure saw the midfielder win possession in the attacking circle before she unleashed an unstoppable shot into back of the net.

A sliding Bartram prevented Pia Maertens from giving Germany the lead back as the Hockeyroos pressed forward to find a winner.

Greta Hayes went close when her well hit tomahawk was saved by Kubalski with seven minutes remaining.

The stunning comeback and the winner came in the 56th minute when World Cup debutante Claire Colwill fired a low shot on the reverse. The 18 year old’s effort was blocked by Kubalski and the ever present Kershaw was quickest to react, knocking the ball into the net to trigger jubilant scenes on the pitch from players wearing green and gold.

“We know we are a fit team and that towards the back end of the game we can still be playing our best hockey, and we had confidence in that today,” said Jane Claxton post match.

“Out of this tournament we can’t doubt ourselves…we have a young team but also have some experience, so we can move onto future tournaments with more confidence of what we can achieve.”

The Hockeyroos’ focus now turns to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Official FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 website.

Match Details
Hockeyroos 2 (Kershaw 49’/56’)
Germany 1 (Micheel 14’)
@ Terrassa Olympic Stadium, Spain

Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 2.Rosie Malone, 4.Amy Lawton, 6.Penny Squibb, 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Hattie Shand, 14.Steph Kershaw, 15.Kaitlin Nobbs, 18.Jane Claxton (c), 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 20.Karri Somerville, 21.Renee Taylor, 24.Mariah Williams, 28.Hannah Cullum-Sanders, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 30.Grace Stewart
Unused substitute: 7.Aleisha Power (gk)

Team Line-ups