Strike of Spain too much for Aussies
TOWNSVILLE hockey star Stephanie Kershaw will return home from the Hockey World Cup empty- handed after Australia was beaten 3- 1 by Spain in Sunday night’s bronze medal playoff in London.
Goals from Maria Lopez Garcia, Berta Bonastre and Alicia Margaz earned Spain victory and third place on Sunday, which improves on their previous best performance of a fourth- place finish at home in 2006.
The Hockeyroos scored only once with a 40th minute tap in from Kathryn Slattery, but it was not enough.
Hockeyroos defender Jodie Kenny says it was an extremely tough match after their close penalty shootout loss to the Netherlands on Saturday.
“It was a shame we couldn’t replicate that match,” she said. “We were up and about ready for it and we were just outplayed. It’s extremely disappointing to end up fourth but in the overall scheme it’s a good effort from us. I think there’s a lot to be proud of in how we played.”
Spain started the stronger side and their first strike came when Lopez’s powerful drag flick was deflected off Kenny and past Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch.
Three minutes later Beatriz Perez broke into the right side of the circle, cutting back to Bonastre, who swept in her third goal of the tournament.
After Spaniard Lucia Jimenez was green carded, Australia tried to find its way back.
Hockeyroo Emily Hurtz found space to pass to Emily Smith, with Slattery tapping in in the 40th minute.
Magaz again tested Lynch on the stroke of three- quarter time, but the Spanish attacker could not be denied.