Australia too strong for China
Source: AFP |
August 11, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THREE-TIME Olympic champion Australia finished fifth in the women's hockey tournament yesterday after chiselling out a 2-0 win over China with a hard-fought but sometimes rather toothless performance.
It means the Australians have conceded only two goals in six matches all tournament - but once again, despite dominating long periods of play, they found it hard to score.
It was this, more than anything, which prevented them reaching the semifinals in London.
They had to wait till the 41st minute to take the lead, through a Jodie Schulz's penalty, and until 10 minutes before the end before Jade Close scored the second after good work by Hope Munro. The lack of cutting edge left Australia vulnerable to a demoralizing counter-attack strike, which almost happened as the tenacious Chinese fought back well in the last 15 minutes.
During this high octane phase, Song Qingling hit a post after great work by Li Hongxia, following which China won three penalty corners but was unable to score.
From the last of the corners, Song got the ball into the net, and a goal was awarded, only for it to be disallowed after an infringement became evident after a video replay Australia requested.
It was Australia's first win over China in a major international tournament since 2005.
It means the Australians have conceded only two goals in six matches all tournament - but once again, despite dominating long periods of play, they found it hard to score.
It was this, more than anything, which prevented them reaching the semifinals in London.
They had to wait till the 41st minute to take the lead, through a Jodie Schulz's penalty, and until 10 minutes before the end before Jade Close scored the second after good work by Hope Munro. The lack of cutting edge left Australia vulnerable to a demoralizing counter-attack strike, which almost happened as the tenacious Chinese fought back well in the last 15 minutes.
During this high octane phase, Song Qingling hit a post after great work by Li Hongxia, following which China won three penalty corners but was unable to score.
From the last of the corners, Song got the ball into the net, and a goal was awarded, only for it to be disallowed after an infringement became evident after a video replay Australia requested.
It was Australia's first win over China in a major international tournament since 2005.
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