The Hockeyroos have vaulted to second spot on the FIH Pro League standings, after claiming another 3-points with a dominant 4-0 win over the USA.
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Australia faced a swift turnaround after beating China 2-0 less than 24 hours earlier, running out to scorching mid-afternoon temperatures in Rourkela, India.
But it seemed training at the high-performance centre over Perth’s summer has paid off in more ways than one, as the USA struggled to hold off a persistent, confident Aussie attack.
Playing in just her 8th match for Australia, NSW’s Alice Arnott proved why she has already been named Player of the Match twice in her last five games in India.
Scoring within just 7 minutes with a beautiful field goal. All of her efforts in previous games, including frustrating her opponents, aiding the team, and setting up goals for her teammates were rewarded as she netted the opening goal of the match.
As Australia charged on with all the momentum, the match was shaping up to be a milestone to remember for Burleigh’s Rosie Malone.
Playing in green and gold for the 100th time, Malone and her teammates continued to make the USA pay.
It’s pretty surreal to think I’m at 100 games now,” Rosie said post-match.
“This is my 7th year in the team so maybe it’s a long time coming but I just hope that everyone I play for, my family, friends and clubs are all proud of what I’ve put out on the field. It’s super special to play one game for your country so yeah, 100 is special.”
By halftime, the Hockeyroos were celebrating an impressive defensive effort and held a comfortable 3-goal lead, through Arnott, Maddison Brooks and Rebecca Greiner but head coach Katrina Powell called for more.
Right before halftime they bagged another, this time through the enduring effort of Claire Colwill. Notching her 4th career goal, with a powerful strike which found space, sailing straight past the goalie and into the net.
Hosts India are up next, before the Hockeyroos get another crack at the world’s best, the Netherlands.
“It’s great to play all teams twice,” Player of the Match Rebecca Greiner said post-match.
“We get another crack at the Netherlands and I think we’ll do really well.”
“Something we do really well is build as tournaments go on, so we’re really proud of the performances we’ve put out in the last few games and for us, it’s just about building all the way to the Olympics,” Rosie Malone said.
In the meantime, attention turns to the Kookaburras, who continue their campaign against hosts India in Bhubaneswar tonight.
Match Details
USA: 0
Hockeyroos: 4 (Alice Arnott 7’, Maddison Brooks 21’, Rebecca Greiner 30’, Claire Colwill 44’)
In Rourkela, India
Hockeyroos: 2. Rosie Malone, 5. Grace Young, 8. Maddison Brooks, 11. Alice Arnott, 13. Hattie Shand, 14. Steph Kershaw, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs, 18. Jane Claxton (c), 19. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 21. Renee Taylor, 22. Tatum Stewart, 1. Claire Colwill, 4. Amy Lawton, 17. Lucy Sharman, 20. Karri Sommerville, 29. Rebecca Greiner, 41. Zoe Newman (gk), 52. Dayle Dolkens
