Can’t slow Malone

POCKET rocket Rosie Malone is on the fast track to Tokyo if her efforts for the Hockeyroos at the World Cup are anything to go by.

Malone, who was forced to choose between her two sporting loves of hockey and football as a professional career in each beckoned, has been one of Australia’s best to start their World Cup campaign in London.

And her performances have given her a massive headstart in her Tokyo Olympic campaign.

After narrowly missing the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games — she was cut from an extended squad — Malone is viewed as part of the future for the sport and is making her mark at her first major international tournament.

A Malone deflection from an Australian corner gave the Hockeyroos their first goal in the 3-2 win against Japan in a thrill for the youngster.

“I was ready to go and I was in the right place at the right time,” the 20-year-old Malone said.

“We practice that 1000 times and it paid off.”

Now based in Perth with the Australian team, Malone is seen as a “special talent” by national coach Paul Gaudoin.

“We’re excited to welcome her into our squad and continue her development,” he said.