Fifth position is indispensable for Hockeyroos to qualify for 2012 Champions Trophy in Argentina
Australia’s Hockeyroos have now entered into a very crucial stage of the 2011 Rabo FIH Women’s Champions Trophy, which is in progress at the Wagner Stadium, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The will be in front of the English women today on July 1, in a very important fixture regarding their confirmation in the next event of the FIH Champions Trophy which will take place in Argentina in January 2012, just six months prior to the prestigious
2012 London Olympic Games.
Although, being a young and fresh team, the Hockeyroos could not manage to exhibit some great performance in the ongoing 2011 FIH Champions Trophy, yet they still have a chance to confirm their place in the next year’s event in Argentina. The Hockeyroos
could not qualify for the medal group because of their poor performance in the group matches, where they could have won one game against Germany.
In their previous two matches they were defeated by their traditional rivals, the Black Sticks women, the hosts, Netherlands and especially, against the Dutch women, where they remained off the colour throughout the entire match. So, they have been placed
in Pool D along with China, England and Germany, where they will compete for the 5th to 8th place.
In their last match against China they once again failed to make any good impact, whereas the late equaliser by the Chinese player deprived them of a vital victory and the match ended in a draw.
According to the FIH rules the top five teams in this event of the Champions Trophy will automatically qualify for the next event of the 2012 Champions Trophy, which is to be held in Argentina, along with Japan, the winner of 2011 Champions Challenge I.
The other two teams will be selected by the FIH.
The Hockeyroos required at least a draw game against the English women which is going to be played today. So, if the Hockeyroos succeed in today’s match, either a win or a draw, they will be up against China or England for the 5th
position play-off.
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