The Hockeyroos are confidently entering the next stage of their Olympic campaign with a triumphant 3-0 win over Japan, to close out the Perth International Festival of Hockey.
China had secured the Perth Cup before Japan and Australia hit off in the final match, with a 2-all draw against Australia-A, behind closed doors, in the curtain raiser.
But the Hockeyroos still had everything to play for as fans packed out the grandstand and lined the grass banks at Perth Hockey Stadium, waiting to witness Australia in action one last time on home soil before July’s Paris Olympic Games.
Taking up a large chunk of space in the stands were the friends and family of Jocelyn Bartram, NSW’s goalkeeper taking to the field on her 100th match for Australia.
As they held up printouts of Bartram’s face and plenty of signs, the Hockeyroos swiftly ensured the ball wasn’t down Bartram’s end.
Earning a penalty corner early, QLD’s Claire Colwill took the stroke and sent it with plenty of power right through the Japanese goalkeeper’s legs. The relatively central hit sailed into the back of the net and the Hockeyroos had the lead 1-0.
From there, Australia had plenty of momentum with multiple shots on target, Stephanie Kershaw who has had a tournament to remember almost made it double with a stroke straight at the left post and Japan were saved from a 2-0 deficit at the break.
And as the clock counted down on Bartram’s 100th appearance, a fantastic save kept Japan off the scoreboard and she confidently walked off at the half with a clean sheet.
“I think it’s the biggest cheer I’ve ever gotten for a save like that in my career!” Jocelyn said post-match.
Japan held off the Hockeyroos confident advances and despite many penalty corners for Australia they were well saved and it took until the third quarter before QLD’s Rosie Malone finally made it count.
Making a run for the goal, Malone sailed a shot straight at the middle of the net. But a great block by Japan didn’t end the way they hoped as the ball sailed off the pads and straight into the top right-hand corner.
Less than 10 minutes later Malone was at it again with a huge tomahawk shot aimed straight at goal before Tassie’s Maddi Brooks tapped it in off the deflection and the Hockeyroos took a final 3-0 lead.
Reflecting on 100 games for her country, Jocelyn said she was hoping to fly under the radar for her milestone but admitted it had been a week of reflection.
“We spend a lot of time on the bench because sometimes as goalies there’s only one position on the field so it is really special to reach a hundred.”
“I was very very nervous before the game I just wanted to put my best foot forward for everyone who was coming down to watch me and all the support everyone has given me along the way in my journey… I just feel so grateful for every game I’ve got to play, to finally reach a hundred is something amazing and hope they’ve got a few more in the bank as well.”
The Hockeyroos Olympic campaign continues in Europe next month when they take on Belgium, Great Britain, Argentina and Germany in the next round of the FIH Pro League.
You can view the full FIH Pro League schedule here.
All matches will be streamed live and free on 7Plus.
Match Details
Hockeyroos: 3 (Claire Colwill 12′, Rosie Malone 42′, Maddi Brooks 51′)
Japan: 0
At Perth Hockey Stadium
Hockeyroos: 1. Claire Colwill, 2. Rosie Malone, 3. Brooke Peris, 4. Amy Lawton, 5. Grace Young, 7. Aleisha Power (gk), 8. Maddison Brooks, 12. Greta Hayes, 13. Hattie Shand, 14. Stephanie Kershaw, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs, 17. Lucy Sharman, 18. Jane Claxton, 19. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 20. Karri Sommerville, 21. Renee Taylor, 24. Mariah Williams, 29. Rebecca Greiner
