Two world class goals from Rebecca Greiner have fired the Hockeyroos to an impressive 3-1 victory against Great Britain in Christchurch this afternoon.
Greiner cancelled out Tessa Howard’s 10th minute opener just before half time as the Hockeyroos were forced to come from a goal down.
A well worked penalty corner variation in the 36th minute then saw Renee Taylor put the Hockeyroos in front, before Greiner capped off an outstanding performance with a brilliant strike in the 55th minute.
Similarly to their success over the Black Sticks on Anzac Day, the Hockeyroos’ win was based on a dominant second half performance after they were forced to absorb a promising start from Great Britain.
A crucial touch from defender Penny Squibb from a Hannah Martin cross prevented Great Britain from taking an early lead.
However, the Hockeyroos found themselves behind when a well worked Great Britain penalty corner saw Howard’s outstretched stick deflect the ball into the back of the net from close range.
A purposeful drive into the circle from Jane Claxton almost opened the door for Courtney Schonell but the Great Britain defence was quick to curtail the opportunity.
Then in the shadows of half time a Great Britain error allowed Hannah Cullum-Sanders to send in a stinging reverse stick cross from the left and Greiner produced laser-like reflexes to put her stick in the path of the ball and deflect it in to level the scores.
Both sides had manufactured one shot apiece for one goal each in the opening 30 minutes, but in the second half it was all the Hockeyroos.
The Australians went ahead when Taylor’s shot from a penalty corner set play took a decisive deflection off an unlucky Amy Costelloe to give goalkeeper Sabbie Heesh no chance.
Heesh was beaten again minutes later when Abby Wilson swatted in a rebound from a Tatum Stewart drag flick but the goal was ruled out on review for the ball not going out of the attacking D from the penalty corner injection.
The Hockeyroos were winning the midfield battle with a mix of aggressiveness and assertiveness as the run of play swung well into their favour.
Pressure from Cullum-Sanders then provided another opportunity for Greiner and she put the result beyond doubt with her second world class goal. The ball came to the Queenslander inside the D and she sent a stunning strike into the top corner.
Chasing the game, Great Britain removed Heesh with three minutes remaining but the Hockeyroos closed it out expertly to enact revenge on last Saturday’s loss to the Brits.
“Any goal is important but we really just tried to stick to our processes, so the goal just before half time was a turning point to go at them in the second half,” said Greiner.
“It’s always a good battle against Great Britain, so it’s great to get one over them.”
The Hockeyroos’ final match of the ‘mini tournament’ is against New Zealand at 2.40pm AEST on Sunday.
The FIH Pro League series in Christchurch is broadcast on FOX Sports and Kayo.
For access to match images, please email nic.kerber@hockey.org.au
Match Details
Great Britain 1 (Howard 10’)
Hockeyroos 3 (Greiner 30’/55’, Taylor 36’)
@ Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium, Christchurch
Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 2.Rosie Malone, 4.Amy Lawton, 6.Penny Squibb, 7.Aleisha Power (gk), 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Hattie Shand, 16.Courtney Schonell, 18.Jane Claxton (c), 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 21.Renee Taylor, 22.Tatum Stewart, 28.Hannah Cullum-Sanders, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 35.Maddison Brooks, 42.Maddison Smith, 44.Abby Wilson
