The Hockeyroos have wrapped up their FIH Professional League 2022-23 marketing campaign with a nail biting 3-2 shootout bonus level victory over Belgium in Antwerp.
The ultimate match went right down to the wire because the groups couldn’t be separated on the finish of regulation time with the scores locked 1-1.
Simply as she did towards the Netherlands per week earlier, goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram once more got here to the fore within the shootout to assist the Hockeyroos end their season on a excessive notice.
The end result leaves the Hockeyroos on high of the present FIH Professional League standings with seven wins and 31 factors from their 16 matches, though seven of the eight groups under them nonetheless have matches in hand. This consists of the world primary ranked Netherlands who sit six factors adrift however nonetheless have seven matches to play.
Heading into the match buoyed by their 2-0 win on Friday, the Hockeyroos had been pressured to soak up some early strain from the house aspect, narrowly surviving a Belgium penalty nook earlier than Steph Kershaw struck within the tenth minute.
Amy Lawton observed Kershaw’s ghosting run on the again put up, sending a move into the circle and Kershaw managed to make connection together with her shot to ship the ball by means of the diving legs of Belgian goalkeeper Elena Sotgiu.
Belgium had been again on degree phrases within the twenty seventh minute courtesy of a Stephanie Vanden Borre drag flick that beat Bartram low to her left.
Sotgiu then got here up with a pointy save simply earlier than half time to maintain out an on the right track Maddy Fitzpatrick drag flick because the seesawing contest noticed the groups have 5 penalty corners and 5 photographs apiece within the first half.
Inside 20 seconds of the resumption the Hockeyroos went inches from restoring their benefit as Rosie Malone’s shot cannoned into the put up after the Australians surged ahead from the opening pushback.
The ball continued to dart from one finish to the opposite as either side remained intent to play quick attacking hockey.
Each defences had been holding agency till a defining second of the match got here with 4 minutes to go when a decided run into the circle from Courtney Schonell noticed her impeded and awarded a penalty stroke.
Claire Colwill stepped as much as take the stroke however she couldn’t beat Sotgiu as the sport completed degree to go away it determined by a shootout.
Each side missed their first makes an attempt earlier than Malone and Lawton transformed after Belgium additionally efficiently scored from their second and third efforts.
Neither aspect might discover the again of the online with their following two makes an attempt which means they may not be separated after 5 photographs every. Kaitlin Nobbs gave the Hockeyroos the sting when she transformed earlier than Bartram had the ultimate say, denying Justine Rasir to seal the bonus level.
“It was superior to complete our European tour like that after enjoying the Netherlands and Belgium who’re each actually good groups,” stated Lawton, who was named Participant of the Match.
“Shootouts are at all times robust…they will go both manner. We caught to our course of and have labored on our shootouts all through this complete Professional League sequence, so it was a great alternative to provide it a go and by chance we got here out on high.”
The Hockeyroos will now return residence to arrange for the best-of-three Oceania Cup towards New Zealand from 10-13 August, with the winner to robotically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games.