Hockeyroos defy inexperience, all set for World Cup quarter-finals
Written by Ben McCure
The Hockeyroos are preparing to play Spain in the quarter-finals of the FIH Women’s World Cup, after going undefeated in their group stage.
The tournament, featuring 16 of the best hockey nations, is being hosted by the cities of Terrassa in Spain, and Amstelveen in The Netherlands.
Needing a win or draw to finish top of Pool D (and automatically qualify for the final eight), the Hockeyroos were clinical in defeating South Africa 2-1 last Thursday morning.
Penny Squibb opened the scoring for the world number three team only eight minutes into the match, converting a well-executed drag flick from a penalty corner.
South Africa responded quickly with the first and only goal Australia have conceded all tournament, as Lillian du Plessis levelled the scores just before the quarter time break.
Rosie Malone pounced on a deflection off the South African goalkeeper late in the first half, and scored what proved to be the winning goal for Australia.
The win capped off a special occasion for Mariah Williams, a proud Wiradjuri woman, playing her 100th international game for Australia during `NAIDOC Week.
27-year-old Williams has scored 15 goals at international level - Photo: BW Media
“[I] couldn't have asked for anything better than to achieve it [100 games] in NAIDOC Week wearing the Indigenous kit," Williams said.
Australia began their campaign with a 2-0 win over a defiant Japan, while two goals in as many minutes helped them overcome a fifth ranked Belgium side in another 2-0 victory.
By finishing top of their pool, the Hockeyroos earned themselves a week’s rest in Spain, rather than moving to the Netherlands to play in a cross-over game.
It’s an impressive achievement for a relatively young and inexperienced side. Of the 18 players selected in the squad, five had played less than 10 games before the start of the tournament, with a further four having played less than 25 games.
One of those players is Hattie Shand, who made her debut earlier this year against New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman series.
The 22-year-old, who hails from the rural Victorian border community of Langkoop, near Naracoorte in South Australia, says she is relishing the opportunity to play for her country in a World Cup.
Defender Hattie Shand is nothign short of pumped for her quarter-final clash against Spain - Photo: N/A
“I am absolutely loving every minute of it,” the talented Hockeyroos defender said.
“Only having three international caps before the World Cup was a bit nerve racking, but I have embraced the opportunity.”
“International hockey is definitely a step up and the pace is next level, but I’m taking each game as I go.”
While acknowledging that Covid has deprived the Hockeyroos of regular international hockey matches in their World Cup preparations, Shand sees a silver lining.
“Other teams have been playing Pro-league matches so have had the chance to compete, unfortunately we haven’t been able to,” she said.
“But in a way, this has left us with an upper hand; we are unknown and unpredictable with a lot of youth, which makes us quite a different team since the Olympics.”
Looking towards tomorrow’s game, Hattie briefly touched on how her and the team will prepare for their must-win clash.
“We will prepare physically on the pitch and in the gym to maintain our fitness and touch, as well as scouting sessions and meetings to prepare for our next opponent,” she said.
“We know our processes and what we need to stick to in order to put up our best performance yet.”
The Hockeyroos will be in action from 5:30am AEST tomorrow morning, as they look to book their place in the Semi-Finals - a challenge Shand suggests the Hockeyroos will be ready for.