Hockeyroos fall in shootout
THE Hockeyroos have fallen at the final hurdle in their battle to be crowned inaugural FIH Pro League winners, losing to the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties in the final.
Australia’s Mariah Williams scored against the run of play in the 19th minute but rival Marijn Veen equalised five minutes later.
Kelly Jonker doubled the Dutch lead in the 49th, only for Kaitlin Nobbs’ 58th-minute goal to put the sides at 2-2 and push the match to shots from the spot in sweltering 35 degree heat in Amstelveen.
Williams, Nobbs and Australia teammates Ambrosia Malone converted their penalties, but Maddy Fitzpatrick and Brooke Peris missed.
Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said even though Australia missed out on the inaugural title, the match was valuable experience for the squad.
“Extremely proud of the effort of the girls today in a really tough environment. It was a very competitive match, we had some good chances in the third quarter which was pleasing to see,” he said.
“Anyone could have won the shootout ... it is really important to have the opportunity to play in these matches which provide such great experience for Oceania Cup and the Tokyo Olympics.”
The Netherlands dominated the opening period with Rachel Lynch forced into an athletic sixth-minute save.
But the plucky Hockeyroos held on and eventually Williams found the breakthrough with her deft touch of Jodie Kenny’s parried shot wrongfooting Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal in the 19th minute.
The Dutch starved Australia of possession but the visitors had two good chances with Williams being denied and Grace Stewart only just blocked by Veenendaal from capitalising on a defensive error right in front of the posts.