Eyes of hockey world on Hobart
THE eyes of millions of hockey fans worldwide will turn their attention to Hobart tonight, with Australia facing China in the women’s FIH Pro League at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre.
The inaugural Pro League will be beamed into loungerooms across China, India and throughout Europe and broadcast on FoxSports.
The world No.3-ranked Hockeyroos are keen to perform well on their first visit to Hobart since the 2011 Oceania Cup. Head coach Paul Gaudoin’s side defeated world champion the Netherlands before falling to Belgium 2-1 in Melbourne and will start favourites for the 5pm pushback.
“We’re the higher ranked side at the moment but you could throw a blanket over the top 10 teams,” Gaudoin said.
“You take out Holland who are probably the best in the world and the next 10 to 12 teams can beat anyone on any day so it’s very tight. We played China recently at the Champions Trophy. We had a tough game against them.”
The Hockeyroos will look to co-captains Emily Smith and Georgia Morgan for inspiration, while goalkeeper Rachael Lynch returns to Hobart having launched her career with the Tassie Van Demons.
“We’re keen to make sure we start well against a pretty strong Chinese team,” Gaudoin added.
The Chinese have had more than a week’s preparation in Hobart and coach Huang Yongsheng says his side has learned from the last encounter. “Two months ago, we were a little bit lucky. Australia was the better team. We’re back here to experience and learn,” Yongsheng said. “Travelling so long for only one game it’s tough. The ball is round so you can expect anything tomorrow. Let’s wait and see.”
China will be led by FIH goalkeeper of the year nominee Ye Jiao, captain Cui Qiuxia and forward Gu Bingfeng who has emerged as a goal threat since the Rio Olympics.
The Kookaburras will play a 2x15-minute halves exhibition match from 3pm, before running a junior clinic and autograph session before the main event. The Kookaburras face Germany at 3pm tomorrow, followed by the Hockeyroos and Germany from 5pm.