Aussies too good for Brits
THE Hockeyroos have secured their second-straight win at the Champions Trophy in China, defeating Olympic champions Great Britain 2-0 in Changzhou.
Early goals to Brooke Peris and Kalindi Commerford put world No.3 Australia in a solid position at halftime.
Goalkeeper Rachael Lynch was excellent in last night’s second half.
Peris opened the scoring for Australia in the ninth minute, despite poor weather, when she deflected a shot from Greta Hayes past British goalkeeper Amy Tennant.
Commerford, celebrating her 24th birthday, scored in the dying seconds of the first half, sneaking the ball past Tennant.
The Australians, whose squad includes the Gold Coast’s Rosie Malone and Cabarita Beach product Madison Fitzpatrick, top the standings with six points and boast a goal differential of plus-three.
Peris credited team culture for the win.
“We’ve talked about it a lot and it’s time to show those actions. Credit to the girls for sticking to the game play and the team culture. That’s why we came away with the results (yesterday),” Peris said.
The Hockeyroos opened their campaign on Saturday with a dogged 2-1 win over reigning champions Argentina, with Malone scoring twice in a three-minute burst late in the first quarter.
Malone struck in the 12th minute after converting a Fitzpatrick pass, before producing some individual magic to score again in the 15th minute.
“I don’t think we played that well in the second half but it was pleasing to score a few field goals in the first half,” Gaudoin said.
“We showed some grit. We just need to be smarter when we’re 1-0 or 2-0 up.”