Late equaliser by China leads to a draw by 2-2 against Australia in 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy
The first match of the day four, between China and Australia’s Hockeyroos, in the 2011 Rabo FIH Women’s Champions Trophy concluded at the Wagner Stadium, in Amsterdam, Holland which ended in a draw by dint of a late show by the Chinese women who eventually
managed to level the score in the later part of the second half.
Both of the teams could only manage to qualify for the Pool D, placement group in which the teams will play for the 5th to 8th position.
The Hockeyroos dominated most part of the match by scoring two goals in the first half. The opening period clearly belonged to the Hockeyroos as they displayed some wonderful piece of hockey. They were astonishing in their attack, while their defence was
too good as they did not allow their Chinese counter-parts to do any damage. They took an early lead in the first half, but minutes before the interval the Chinese women succeeded to bring the Australia’s lead down by a goal. Both the Australian goals were
scored on penalty-corners. The scorers were Jodie Schulz and Casey Eastham.
The Australian had five penalty-corners in total during the entire match, but they were able to convert only two into goals.
In the second half, the Chinese women proved themselves more brilliant as compared to the first half. They exhibited a much improved performance in the later 35 minutes and made the equaliser in the second half of the match. They were very disciplined in
their defence with more aggressive in the attack. Their attacking strategy led them to draw the game. The Chinese showed beautiful dribbling skills along with electrifying pace that made them able to level the game. The scorers were Li Hongxia and Gao Lihua
for China.
The final fifteen minutes were very intense as both the team were desperate to win the game, but the best chance created by the Chinese six minutes before the end of the match. However it was misfired by Mao and the match concluded at 2-2.
Tags: