We saw that coming when China won the opening Pro League season game v the Hockeyroos and yet we’ve seen this happening once again, even though the Hockeyroos played a bit more better where they fell short in the tri-series Kara night at the Perth Hockey Stadium. The first half was a goal scoring fest with China taking the early lead before the Hockeyroos bounced back with back-to-back goals in quick succession through open play as they lead 2-1 at half-time. Then things weren’t the same as the Hockeyroos couldn’t build on their lead up front that led to China scoring the second goal while having to suffer some ill-discipline along the way during the third quarter. Unfortunately, nothing much happened going into the last 15 mins with the defense including the keeper had a really hard time stopping the Chinese’s shifting passage of play before another conceded goal this time via penalty corner saw the writings on the wall as the clock ticks down.
The final score was Hockeyroos 2-3 China with China well in the box seat towards taking home the women’s tri-series trophy as long as they beat Japan again on Saturday. Now we enter the weekend’s final slate of games before International Hockey will be back for 2nd half of the FIH Pro League season, which will resume in a month’s time all across Europe.
As said, the Hockeyroos had some moments where they were really threatening up front alongside a good defense that kept the Chinese in check all along. They just couldn’t make the most of the early starts which is one weakness that goes against them; Same goes when they led 2-1 after half-time where the momentum began to die down after a couple of hit and miss finishes & that’s where China were able to get it done in return. Gotta say a better early start and attacking conversions whilst leading would be the way to go if the Hockeyroos are to have a strong finish of the FIH Pro League season that would mean a strong Olympics campaign in Paris as they’re not there yet right now. They might have won big that late yesterday v Australia A but they still need to show a full hour performance come Sunday v Japan again. Meanwhile, China was able to regroup themselves following the Hockeyroos missed chances and put the pressure back onto the opposition by making their passage of play more organised through the channels where goals were made left, right and centre. Yes, they might had some weaknesses as the game goes on, particularly at the back. But when they shift themselves up front, they barely put a foot wrong with patience and it seems China were the better team after turning themselves around from 2-1 down at half-time to 3-2 in the end. Gotta say they deserve to take home this tri-series trophy as they are a team who won’t give anyone a free run including the Hockeyroos as if they see China as a 2nd Netherlands team when Alyson Annan is the coach there.
