Professional League: Hockeyroos Full Of Character In Comeback Over China

For the second time within the FIH Professional League collection in Sydney the Hockeyroos have prevailed in a shootout over China.

The Hockeyroos confirmed huge grit and character as they fought again from two objectives right down to make it 2-2 at full time and ship the match right into a shootout the place goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram once more got here into her personal to make sure the Australians remained undefeated after three matches.

Jiaqi Zhong and Bingfeng Gu gave China a deserved two objective lead earlier than Jane Claxton’s 52nd minute strike and Brooke Peris’ equaliser with three minutes to go rounded out the comeback.

China went inches from successful it with 5 seconds to go, solely a exceptional objective line clearance from defender Penny Squibb together with her stick saving the Hockeyroos from defeat.

Coming off a relaxation day and desperate to reverse Friday’s shootout loss to the Hockeyroos, China began strongly, Bartram referred to as into motion to maintain out two early penalty corners.

The Hockeyroos’ finest likelihood of the opening exchanges fell to Steph Kershaw however the Chinese language defence managed to clear the ball simply in time.

Bartram was required once more within the second quarter as China brought about some Hockeyroos turnovers in threatening areas.

A defence splitting move from Amy Lawton to Peris nearly caught China napping however goalkeeper Ying Zhou did sufficient to spoil the prospect to depart it at nil-all.

China continued to take the sport as much as the Hockeyroos and Jiaqi Zhong despatched a shot that had Bartram overwhelmed however the ball cannoned off the submit.

Simply because the Hockeyroos had breathed a sigh of aid, one other alternative fell to Zhong moments later and this time she made no mistake to place China in entrance.

The lead was then doubled when Bingfeng Gu struck from a penalty nook within the forty eighth minute to depart the Hockeyroos with the job in entrance of them.

The Hockeyroos’ trigger was aided when Haoting Yang was proven a yellow card with 9 minutes to go, and the hosts made essentially the most of their numerical benefit.

Claxton fired dwelling her nineteenth worldwide objective to peg one again earlier than Claire Colwill had a drag flick saved because the Hockeyroos surged ahead.

The rescue mission was full when Peris bundled the ball dwelling from shut vary.

Squibb’s heroics on the objective line then prevented China from successful it on the demise after an excellent flip and shot from Ning Ma.

Courtney Schonell, Peris, Kaitlin Nobbs and Lawton had been all profitable within the shootout to see the Hockeyroos declare the bonus level.

“It reveals that we imagine in ourselves and we belief the method to have the ability to overturn a 2-goal deficit late within the sport after which win within the shoot-out,” stated Claxton, who was named Participant of the Match.

“We’ve another sport to go at dwelling and are trying ahead to retaining our unbeaten run going.”

Each match of the FIH Professional League is broadcast on FOX Sports activities 507 and Kayo.

Match Particulars
Hockeyroos 2 (Claxton 52’, Peris 57’)
China 2 (Jiaqi Zhong 37’, Bingfeng Gu 48’)
Hockeyroos win shootout 4-3
@ Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre

Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 2.Rosie Malone, 3.Brooke Peris, 4.Amy Lawton, 5.Grace Younger, 6.Penny Squibb, 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 13.Hattie Shand, 14.Stephanie Kershaw, 15.Kaitlin Nobbs (c), 16.Courtney Schonell, 18.Jane Claxton, 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 24.Mariah Williams, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 30.Grace Stewart, 42.Maddi Smith
Unused substitute: 41.Zoe Newman (gk)

Australia Hockey