The Australian Women’s Hockey Team have topped their pool and set up a quarter-final against China after unbelievable scenes unfolded in the dying minutes of their final pool match against Spain.
With less than five minutes on the clock and leading 2-1, the Hockeyroos knew they needed a desperate last-minute goal to win by two points, which was the crucial deciding factor for topping Pool B over Argentina and setting up a more favourable quarterfinal berth.
Spain was locked in third on the table regardless of a win, draw or a narrow loss but both sides were down to 10 players thanks to yellow cards and were playing like it was a knockout match.
With just two minutes remaining, the Spaniards pulled their goalkeeper from the field, taking a massive risk and opting for another field player in a last-minute attempt to level the scores.
But the Hockeyroos pounced immediately, charging down the field before skipper of the match Kaitlin Nobbs heaved it past the sole Spanish defender desperately trying to protect their open goal to score.
Australia erupted in celebration knowing they had achieved what they needed to book a more favourable knockout match on Monday night.
“I feel like the heavens opened from above when Spain took off their keeper!,” Mariah Williams said post-match.
“We had that chance for Kaitlin to grab that interception with all she had, and then she ran through and slapped it into the net. It was just like it was meant to be.”
The Hockeyroos got off to their usual fast-flying start with star striker Alice Arnott opening the scoring in two minutes off a flying cross from Mariah Williams who had beaten two defenders.
A penalty stroke saw Spain level for most of the match, as they put Aussie goalie Jocelyn Bartram to work, forcing her to defend 19 times and save nine shots on goal.
The Hockeyroos got to work in the fourth, Stephanie Kershaw delivering at the penalty corner following a rocketing ball from Claire Colwill and keeping their two-goal hunt alive.
“Focusing on the here and now really worked for us,” she said.
“We tried to put all our efforts into making sure we nailed that game. And then our unbeaten run just continues for us going into the quarterfinals.
“We know we don't want to go up against the Dutch in the semifinal. We wanted to make sure that we were going into our quarter-final top of the table.”
Australia will rest and recover before taking on China in the quarterfinal on Monday.
Kristina Eddy
