HOCKEY: Australia’s women’s hockey team delivered the brand of hockey they talked about pre-tournament but were unable to secure the points against Great Britain, going down 2-1 in their opening match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
It was a match in which Australia demonstrated the skill, flair and aggression spoken about previously by captain Madonna Blyth. They dominated for large portions, creating excellent opportunities but emerged with only Georgie Morgan’s 33rd minute penalty corner to show for their efforts.
“We wanted to come out and start the game and play our style of hockey. We achieved that,” said Blyth.
“We probably need to tighten up a few details but I’m not disappointed with how we played at all. This is something to build from. If we improve from that we’ll be pretty hard to beat.”
With this year’s competition featuring quarter finals, the top four teams in each pool of six will progress to the quarter finals and the defeat carries less immediate weight than such as result might have four years ago.
“It’s the first game. You don’t win or lose a medal in the first game,” added Blyth.
“For us, we just want to improve every match and we’re set the bar pretty high tonight for ourselves. If we keep improving and playing that brand of hockey, just tightening up a few things, I think we’ll be fine.”
Having seen Emily Smith and Grace Stewart denied by GB goalkeeper Maddie Hinch on multiple occasions in the opening exchanges, Australia fell behind to Lily Owsley’s 26th minute finish; a neat conversion after a series of one touch passes split open the defence.
Seconds later, at the other end, Morgan hit the post and Great Britain survived, much to the frustration of a very vocal Australian support.
They didn’t have to wait long to celebrate, and neither did Morgan. Three minutes into the third period Morgan had her first Olympic goal. From Australia’s fourth penalty corner of the game, the defender flicked powerfully inside the right post for 1-1.
Jane Claxton’s jinking run and chip over the goalkeeper came close to putting Australia ahead but her shot sailed just wide of the post.
Australia found themselves on the back foot again after losing their video referral and finding themselves a player down after Eddie Bone was suspended for five minutes for a yellow card offence. It was to prove an important numerical advantage for the 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallists, who pressed hard, winning a series of penalty corners.
But it was a pacey counter attack that put GB back in front, 2-1, as they broke four-on-two; Susannah Townsend played in Alex Danson from the top of the circle, who beat Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch at the second attempt.
The girls in green and gold fought hard for another equaliser, losing Bone again to suspension but forcing Great Britain deep into defensive territory. The Brits, however, remained resolute and retained their advantage to the end.
“I’ve got all my family here, so it’s really nice [to score],” said Georgie Morgan.
“They only got in yesterday so I’m sure I’ll get to see them at some point. We’ve got The Edge over at the Australian Olympic Team so it’ll be nice to catch up with them there.
“I don’t think it [the GB goal] really deflated us because we play right to the last so that’s about our team’s brand,” added Morgan.
“Obviously, it showed. We came back and we equalised and, yeah, it was disappointing to come away with a loss but I think the way we played was probably the most positive thing about it.”
Earlier in the day, in the same pool as Australia, fifth ranked USA upset South American home favourites and London 2012 Olympic Games silver medallists Argentina 2-1.
Australia’s next match is against USA on Monday August 7 (11.00pm AEST, Monday).
Lawrence West
olympics.com.au
