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Australia cruised into the gold medal match of the women’s hockey at the Commonwealth Games yesterday with a 7-1 mauling of South Africa. |
The hockeyroos will face England in the final today after goalkeeper Maddie Hinch was the hero after in the semifinal saving three times in the shoot-out, enabling the team to reach a third final at the expense of New Zealand.
Winners of the gold medal in three of the four competitions since hockey was introduced to the Commonwealth programme, Australia have now scored 32 goals in winning their five games in Glasgow so far. “I am very satisfied with the performance. Our ability, particularly in the second-half, to finish off our chances was excellent,” said Australia coach Adam Commens.
“This team has come a long way from four years ago when we just battled through and in the end won a gold medal, which was a great achievement.”
South Africa coach Giles Bonnet, meanwhile, lamented his side’s inability to beat New Zealand in their pool earlier in the week which meant facing Australia in the semi-finals.
“Australia are a great team. We knew that from before and we wanted to avoid them,” he said.
After a tight start, Emily Smith put the Aussies in front and Kellie White quickly doubled their lead to send the reigning champions in 2-0 ahead at half-time.
White, Georgina Parker and Jane Claxton made it 5-0 after the break before Australia conceded for the first time in the tournament when Celia Evans turned home a consolation for South Africa. However, normal service was quickly resumed as Parker slammed home her second of the game before Georgia Nanscawen rounded off the scoring.
Meanwhile, Hinch denied New Zealand trio Anita Punt, Katie Glynn and Stacey Michelsen as England prevailed 3-1 in the shoot-out to guarantee themselves a medal for the fifth Games in a row.
Glynn had earlier scored a dramatic equaliser with two minutes left after England had looked set to reach the final through Lily Owsley’s first half goal. But as Georgie Twigg, Alex Danson and Lucy Wood each scored, Hinch came to England’s rescue to set up a meeting with reigning champions Australia
The final against Australia today gives England the chance to avenge their defeat in the 1998 final in Kuala Lumpur, as well as their 3-0 pool stage loss earlier in the tournament.
