The Hockeyroos have signed off on their opening FIH Pro League tour to India with a much-improved result over the high-flying world number one, Netherlands.
Watch every Hockeyroos and Kookaburras match live and free on 7plus
Knowing that few matches could prepare them better for what was to come in five months at the Paris Olympics, the Hockeyroos were confident they had moulded into a side that could snap the Netherlands’ 44-match unbeaten streak.
But within the first two minutes, the Hockeyroos conceded a penalty and Dutch star Jansen Yibbi delivered on their first opportunity with a penalty stroke straight into the back of the net.
If there was any ever doubt Australia’s fast, relentless attacking prowess was finally going to be the Netherlands undoing, Yibbi was making sure swift work to prove there was plenty of it.
Australia’s lack of discipline in the space of 15 minutes was proving to be their main downfall, as just before the break Yibbi claimed her hat trick.
Goalie Jocelyn Bartram and the Hockeyroos were forced to defend three penalty corners against the world number ones in the space of two minutes and Yibbi was simply too clinical.
Heading into the break down 0-3, Australia knew they had a comeback to mount and who better to start that comeback than Steph Kershaw.
Having an outstanding tournament Kershaw got her moment on their own penalty corner in the second quarter and just like she had many times in the last two weeks, Kershaw took her opportunity to strike.
Now with the momentum back in their favour, the Hockeyroos put on a clinical attacking and defensive effort. Managing to halt the Netherlands and stop an onslaught of goals.
But the damage was done within minutes in the first quarter and Australia couldn’t pull off the comeback required to end their campaign on a high.
“We know going up against the Dutch is always going to be tough,” Alice Arnott said post-match.
“They put pressure on the scoreboard earlier which made it an uphill battle, but the good thing is we knew what we wanted to put out on the pitch and we did that.”
Arnott will be jumping on the plane home with two player-of-the-match trophies, after having a tour to remember with an incredible defensive effort, plenty of assists and a goal.
“This was a huge tournament for me, being my first tour away with the team, I wanted to see how my play fit in with the team and luckily it fit in quite well!”
The Hockeyroos will now continue training at the High-Performance Centre back home in Perth until the next FIH Pro League round commences in Europe at the end of May.
“India was a new experience for us and we’ve learnt a lot from it, we’ll head into the next [training camp] ready to implement new learnings and by the next FIH Pro League leg we’ll be even more ready to go,” Arnott said.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty more action to come from our unbeaten Kookaburras.
They continue their campaign on Wednesday night when they take on Spain in Rourkela, India.
Match Details
Netherlands: 3 (Jansen Yibbi 2’, 13’, 14’)
Hockeyroos: 1 (Steph Kershaw 20’)
In Bhubaneswar, India
Hockeyroos: 1. Claire Colwill, 2. Rosie Malone, 4. Amy Lawton, 5. Grace Young, 11. Alice Arnott, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs (c), 19. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 20. Karri Sommerville, 21. Renee Taylor, 22. Tatum Stewart, 29. Rebecca Greiner, 8. Maddison Brooks, 13. Hattie Shand, 14. Steph Kershaw, 17. Lucy Sharman, 18. Jane Claxton, 30. Grace Stewart, 41. Zoe Newman (gk)
