Hockeyroos late show seals points against Japan
Published Sun 03 Jul 2022
Two goals in the final five minutes have given a spirited Hockeyroos a 2-0 victory over Japan in their opening match of the FIH Women’s World Cup 2022.
Mariah Williams struck in the 56th minute with her 19th goal in her 98th international appearance to reward the Hockeyroos’ persistence against a stout Japan defence.
Rosie Malone then sealed the result in the final minute to send the Hockeyroos to the top of their pool ahead of Belgium taking on South Africa in the other Pool D match tomorrow.
With 12 players making their World Cup debut including 19 year old Queensland duo Claire Colwill and Hannah Cullum-Sanders, the Hockeyroos absorbed some early pressure and a host of Japanese penalty corners as goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram was called into action.
Towards the end of the first quarter the Hockeyroos enjoyed their own string of penalty corners but despite various combinations could not break the deadlock.
The arm wrestle continued in the second period before the Hockeyroos again started to dominate possession and chances.
Hattie Shand produced two crucial defensive efforts as Japan looked to counterattack, before the Hockeyroos were awarded their sixth penalty corner late in the first half but were again unable to break through.
With Aleisha Power replacing Bartram in goal at half time, the Hockeyroos flew out of the box in the second half, Williams finding Cullum-Sanders in the attacking circle but her superb diving effort flew narrowly wide.
Amy Lawton then did her best to manufacture the opening goal of the game as she dorve into the circle and sent a ball across the goal face but again Japan managed to hold on.
Japanese captain Yuri Nagai had her side’s best chance of the third quarter, sending a shot just wide as both sides continued to play with wilful intent.
As the minutes ticked away and the Hockeyroos’ desperation grew, the reward eventually came four minutes from full time.
Grace Stewart slid the ball into a dangerous area creating indecision on the Japanese goal line which allowed Williams to knock the ball above goalkeeper Eika Nakamura into the net.
Malone then put the result beyond doubt in the final 60 seconds after Japan withdrew their goalkeeper to give them an extra outfield player as they chased an equaliser.
This time Williams would provide the assist as the Hockeyroos forced a midfield turnover, the striker dinking the ball into the path of Malone and she did the rest.
“It was a really good fight from the girls. We dug deep, worked really hard and we knew if we stuck to our processes we could get the win,” said Williams, who was awarded the Player of the Match.
The Hockeyroos’ next match is against Belgium at 5.30am AEST on Wednesday 6 July.
Watch every match of the 2022 Women’s World Cup LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Foxtel & Kayo.
Official FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 website.
Match Details
Hockeyroos 2 (Williams 56’, Malone 60’)
Japan 0
@ Terrassa Olympic Stadium, Spain
Hockeyroos: 1.Claire Colwill, 2.Rosie Malone, 4.Amy Lawton, 6.Penny Squibb, 7.Aleisha Power (gk), 10.Maddy Fitzpatrick, 12.Greta Hayes, 13.Hattie Shand, 14.Steph Kershaw, 15.Kaitlin Nobbs, 18.Jane Claxton (c), 19.Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 20.Karri Somerville, 21.Renee Taylor, 24.Mariah Williams, 28.Hannah Cullum-Sanders, 29.Rebecca Greiner, 30.Grace Stewart