Tokyo 2020 - Hockeyroos v China Preview

The Hockeyroos face one of their toughest tests of the Tokyo Olympics in what coach Katrina Powell describes as a “danger game” against China at Oi Stadium on Monday (26 July).

The world number two side goes into their second-round match ranked ahead of China (10) but tight tussles and a defeat at the Tokyo Test Event in August 2019 are more indicative of the showdown than the FIH rankings.

Of the five matches the two nations have played since November 2018, Australia has won three, drawn one and lost one.

“It’s the danger game because it is the next game,” says Powell, a three-time Olympian and dual gold medallist.

“Traditionally, China are a strong and aggressive team; they come at you.

“Obviously, they have not had as much match practice leading into the Olympics like many other teams, so are playing catch up. We are looking forward to a very fast and strong game against them.”

Australia goes into the match confident after a 3-1 win over Spain. But after a tentative start in their first Olympic match, Powell is hoping her side is more dominant from the opening whistle.

China showed consistently excellent form in their clash with host nation Japan scoring in every quarter to claim a 4-3 victory.

One of the biggest concerns for both teams will be fronting up just over 24 hours after their last encounter and dealing with the hot and humid weather conditions expected for the 12.15pm local time start.

Both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras have prepared for the heat with training camps in Darwin, but the fact they play five pool games in seven days requires a strategy that goes beyond ice baths, cooling vests and sports drinks.

Powell said her team would focus only on recovery and their next opponent in a bid to sustain their high performance on the field.

“With back-to-back games, it's a really quick turnaround,” she said.

“We really need to focus on one game at a time heading towards the quarters. If you get distracted, you're losing, you're out and you're packing up and leaving Tokyo early.”

Tokyo 2020 Hockey - full schedule and results

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Women’s Hockey
Hockeyroos v China
Monday 26 July 2021
Oi Stadium, Tokyo
Start time: 12:15pm local (1:15pm AEST)
Broadcast: LIVE on 7Plus
 
Hockeyroos v China - Overall Record
Played 68; Hockeyroos 50, Draws 10, China 8
Last time they met
21-Aug-19 Olympic Test Event (Tokyo)
Hockeyroos 3 (Commerford 11', Malone 16', R. Taylor 34')
China 1 (Li Jiaqi 57')

Hockeyroos squad: 2.Rosie Malone, 3.Brooke Peris, 4.Amy Lawton, 8.Georgia Wilson, 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Edwina Bone, 14.Steph Kershaw, 15.Kaitlin Nobbs, 18.Jane Claxton, 20.Karri Somerville, 21.Renee Taylor, 22.Kate Jenner, 24.Mariah Williams, 26.Emily Chalker, 27.Rachael Lynch (gk), 30.Grace Stewart, 32.Savannah Fitzpatrick
 
Hockeyroos Schedule (full hockey competition schedule)
Wednesday 28 July (6.30pm local, 7.30pm AEST)
Japan v Hockeyroos
 
Thursday 29 July (9.15pm local, 10.15pm AEST)
New Zealand v Hockeyroos
 
Saturday 31 July (11.45am local, 12.45pm AEST)
Argentina v Hockeyroos