Roos end sweep of Japan with 8-1 rout
AUSTRALIA closed the Hockeyroos’ year of revitalising the national women’s hockey program with a clean sweep of Japan, sealed with an emphatic 8-1 win in Adelaide yesterday.
Australia’s record on its return to Adelaide – after a 10year absence – closed at three wins, with 15 goals scored and just three conceded after 5-1 and 2-1 wins earlier in the week.
The so-called “Roovolution” can advance on measured optimism to a busy 2018 international calendar.
For the third consecutive Test, the Hockeyroos set the tone from the start – and scored early.
This time Madi Ratcliffe took a deflection from the Japanese stick of Naho Ichitani to have Australia leading after just three minutes.
The Japanese defence was punished seven minutes later for leaving Hockeyroos striker Emily Hurtz unmarked inside the circle, where she was too sharp for goalkeeper Megumi Kageyama to block.
Australia’s rush to a 3-0 lead after just 17 minutes was built on making the Japanese defence roll back from a rush along the right wing. South Australian Gabi Nance took advantage of a poor clearance by Japan’s other goalkeeper, Erika Akaya, to score.
Three goals in the last three minutes – from Savannah Fitzpatrick, Kathryn Slattery and Ratcliffe – rewarded the Hockeyroos for pushing Japan to the limit to the final whistle.
Australia will start its 2018 campaign – which includes the Commonwealth Games and World Cup in London – with a training camp in early January.