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The Australian Hockeyroos have gone down to the United States of America by one goal in a disappointing performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, leaving them plastered to the bottom of Group B.
The Hockeyroos were in what was close to a must-win situation if they hoped to avoid pressure in their last three matches, but will now have to win at least two of their remaining matches just to qualify, and even then face the Netherlands in a tough match.
The USA were far from dominant throughout the match, but they found a way to get the job done nonetheless. They found a way to make full use of their opportunities, something Australia just didn’t.
Despite some good play through the mid-field for the Australians, they just didn’t finish in the circle, blowing a number of penalty corner opportunities, which rings an all too familiar story for those who saw the match against Great Britain.
From an American point of view, Julia and Katie Reinprecht were absolutely fantastic running the game from the mid-field, while Kathleen Sharkey was even better at the front looking dangerous every time she was near the action.
The Australians also struggled with a number of yellow cards, at one point being reduced to nine players with both Maddona Blyth and Mariah Wilson being forced to sit down. It didn’t help their cause, although they did score their only goal with nine on the pitch.
America’s goal came wth the first half winding down to Michelle Vittese off a penalty corner, but like Australia they have wasted some opportunities. It was completely against the run of play, which also brings back memories of how Britain opened the scoring on the first day of the Games.
The USA would then go up 2-0 with another goal from a penalty corner. Vittese missed the shot, before it went out to the left post for Caitlin Van Sinckle to find the back of the net.
The Australians would then put in their only goal through Kathryn Slattery on a fast break after a poorly taken USA penalty corner. Slattery set up the shot with it being blocked, but a nice set up from Williams saw Slattery finish it off into an open goal.
With no goals and plenty of defence played in the final quarter, Australia are now under all sorts of pressure while the USA continue their good form sitting on two wins from two games.
Score
Australia 1
United States of America 2