Penalty corner conversion rate causes concern in Hockeyroos camp
Australia made hard work of their 3-2 win over 12th-ranked Belgium in a game that was distinctly lacking in quality from both sides. The Hockeyroos maintain their unbeaten run in this tournament, but with two goals from 14 penalty corners, coach Adam Commens will be concerned that his team are lacking their usual firepower and, more importantly, conceding goals at the other end.
This is the third match that Australia have won 3-2, and tournament top-scorer Anna Flanagan joked as she said: “Why make it convincing, it is far more exciting this way.” The drag-flick specialist added that the team has scored nine goals which is three more than their entire Olympic campaign, so they weren’t unduly worried.
Everything seemed to be going to the form book in the opening minutes with unrelenting pressure from Australia on the Belgium goal, however it was not until the 16th minute that Anna Flanagan stepped up to score from the Hockeyroo’s sixth penalty corner. This seems to spur the Red Panthers into a more attacking style of play and rather than just soaking up the pressure, Belgium started to make decisive breaks out of defence. The more aggressive style paid off as Jill Boon registered Belgium’s first shot on goal, and minutes later Alix Gerniers – who had a good match for the Red Panthers – was unlucky not to get the equaliser.
Belgium persistence paid off when Stephanie de Groof (35′) scored in the final minute of the half to leave the sides equal as they went into the half-time break.
The second half saw much of the same, with Australia controlling play for large swathes of the game. The Hockeyroos took the lead when Jodie Kenny (38′) shot and scored a cracking penalty corner, but again Belgium surprised their opponents by stepping up the pitch and piling on the pressure. Lieselotte van Lindt stole the ball in midfield and her pass found Gerniers who in turn found Boon. True to her family name, Boon (42′) smashed the ball into the goal past the floundering Rachael Lynch.
The winning goal came from a penalty stroke, awarded in the 54th minute. Kenny scored her second, although Aisling D’Hooghe will be disappointed to have conceded, as she saved the initial shot just to see the ball trickle over the line.
After the game the two coaches had very different perspectives on the game. While Pascal Kina was relatively pleased with his team’s performance, saying: “We made a poor start, but we reacted well and played a nice game towards the end.” his counterpart Commens was less pleased. “Our ball skills were among the worst I have seen us play.”
A frustrated Gerniers said: “It is time our team grew up. We have not come here to just participate anymore, we want to win games. We still think we can win our last two pool matches, and achieve our target of a top eight finish.”