It’s bronze or busted
ENGLAND MUST FIGHT FOR THIRD
By
JESS THIRLBY gave her England side a ‘no sulking’ warning ahead of today’s bronze-medal showdown with New Zealand.
England’s head coach saw Australia sink the hosts’ gold medal ambitions in the semi-finals yesterday – getting revenge for their last-gasp defeat in the Commonwealth Games final on the Gold Coast four years ago.
The Aussies took an early stranglehold on their last-four clash and, unlike in their shock group-game defeat against Jamaica, were in no mood to let go as they ran out 60-51 winners.
It leaves England facing the Silver Ferns in a battle for the bronze, and Thirlby (below) said she knew that their opponents today would be out to turn the tables after suffering a thumping during the sides’ Group B clash last week.
Thirlby said: “Any of the top four teams in this tournament were capable of getting into the final and contesting gold – so for any of us who find ourselves fighting for bronze, it is disappointing. But we can’t feel that for too long. This is now our final against New Zealand.
“They are going to want to get on that plane with something around their necks.
“We’re going to have to be really smart and have a better start than we did here.
“Up until now we have done that. But we can’t sulk. We have to put our heads up and shoulders back. We’re a good team and we’ve grown into this tournament. “This was a blip at a really bad time – and now against New Zealand we need to be better.”
England started slowly, and never recovered. A three-goal gap after the first quarter was doubled by half-time. When it grew by the same margin going into the last 15 minutes, their fight was over.
Aussie goal-shooter Gretel Bueta led England’s defence a merry dance. When the
hosts did turnover the ball, they never capitalised.
Thirlby added: “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb after that start. Bueta is brilliant and versatile around the circle. She exposed us. We were found wanting for ball. That’s unlike us. They starved us of it and they were smart.”
Australia face Jamaica tonight after the Sunshine Girls continued their growth into this competition by claiming their first appearance in a major tournament final by winning 67-51 against New Zealand.
Jamiaca sunk the Aussies 57-55 in the group stages after being down by
six goals going into the last quarter.