The Australian Hockeyroos will begin their Rio Olympic Games campaign with a tough match against bronze medal winners from London and the world’s seventh-ranked team Great Britain. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:30pm (AEST).
While England are ranked seventh in the world, the Great Britain team formed for the Olympics actually has more talent to choose from, meaning this isn’t an accurate reflection.
Given the Australian side are only a few places ahead of them sitting third, the pressure will be right and there is no question both sides will be expecting respective victories.
Looking at their group makes this an even more important contest. While there should still be room for both of these sides to advance out of the group stages, the likes of Argentina, the United States of America and even the ninth-ranked Japan could cause problems.
That being said, the winner of this match increases their chance of qualification exponentially. A high finish is also important to avoid the Netherlands in the quarter-final who will likely top Group A.
The Australian team will be heavily reliant on their midfield combination of captain Madonna Blyth and Teneal Attard who both have over 200 games experience with Blyth being one of the most capped players in history.
Australia will expect to play quite an aggressive style and get Great Britain on the back foot from the outset, which will be easier said than done however making the most of their opportunities will be key.
Qualifying as England will undoubtedly be a disadvantage for Great Britain, but they still did a strong job in that tournament.
In saying that, after a great effort to win Bronze at London in 2012, they haven’t done a lot on the world stage finishing bottom of their group at the 2014 world cup.
Still, they were very strong in qualification through the European stages, beating the Netherlands on penalties in the final which was a monumental effort.
Certainly, in terms of experience England are well behind Australia but in Lili Owsley, they have a very good attacker who has proven time and time again she can step up under pressure. Joined by Alex Danson up front, they have a very strong attack line.
With the experience of Crista Cullen in the defensive line, Australia may find it hard to score, however with their midfield they should be able to set up enough opportunities.
Prediction
Australia have a wealth of experience and talent in their squad, and they have played good hockey since London making the final of the world cup in 2014 while Great Britain have gone backwards, and it could take them a game or two to gel as a squad.
Australia 4-2.
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Francis Rygiel
Guest
The Australians, ranked No.3 in the world, were unable to replicate the feats of the Kookaburras earlier in the day, making it a mix start to the campaign for the nation's hockey teams in Deodoro. Hockeyroos head coach Adam Commens would have been largely delighted with what he saw from his players in the opening period, but despite dominating the early exchanges they had nothing to show for it.
Republican
Guest
Australian Hockey has certainly stood still more recently while others have caught up and even passed us. Interesting that the USA defeated Argentina. On that form I believe they will also put us away which may well spell the end to our womens campaign to medal. Domination in field play does not ensure victory. You must convert your scoring opportunities while I note that both our mens and womens side seem to be struggling of late, in this respect. The men were very slack v NZ, i.e. far too casual in the second half. They will really have to focus 100% if they want to go further than the pool games, truth be told
DaniE
Roar Guru
Sad to have seen this golden team become dimmed over the years. Maybe some they can regain their fighting spirit in their game against the US, considering the outcome of the Champs Trophy game earlier this year. But they're just not the mentally tough side they were a decade ago.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results Great Britain have got off to a fantastic start in the women's hockey at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, defeating the Australian Hockeyroos 2-1. The result didn't necessarily reflect the way the game played out in the end, with Australia dominating for the most part in terms of opportunities and positioning of the match, but they struggled to convert. Their woes in attack continued to get worse with Edwina Bone being given a pair of yellow cards and facing a suspension from the next match, while the play seemed to continuously break down in the final quarter, with Australia simply unable to build any rhythm or momentum. The first half was a story of missed opportunities for the Australian side. While their midfield was strong, and the likes of Casey Sablowski and Georgina Morgan looking strong they couldn't crack the British defence which was always back in plenty of numbers. Great Britain's best for the first, and indeed the second half was Alex Danson and joined by Helen Richardson the pair put on a real show running effortlessly up and down, always being where they needed to be. Special mention must be given to the goal keeper of Britain Maddie Hinch who was constantly under pressure but made a lot of good saves. Australia would have three penalty corners in the first half, not being able to convert any of them, while Britain scored through Lili Owlsley who flicked it in from close range after a good approach play down the right side that got Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch out of position and she wasn’t able to recover. That goal came with just four minutes to go in the first half and it went to halftime with Britain up 1-0. Australia would earn another penalty corner early in the second half with Georgina Morgan finally converting, sending a blistering shot into the top of the net. With Australia down a player, it began to tell with Britain making a long range break just two minutes out from the end of the third quarter, set up by Unsworth, before she linked with Susanah Townsend and Danson who converted past an Australian defence that was not back in any numbers. Britain would control the game from that point forward and never let up, taking their first win at Rio. Some soul-searching now to be done for the Aussies who will desperately need a victory when they take on the United States of America at 11pm (AEST) on Monday Night. Final Score Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to come. Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Great Britain send it long and Australia fail to trap it. Into the final 10 seconds and Richardson has it as the siren goes off. Strong win for Britain and they start the Olympics with a win. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q1 0' Australia have one last shot as they come down the right flank through Perras. She looks to get into the circle, heads baseline but great defence from Cullen and it ends up over the baseline. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' It's Morgan from the penalty corner and has gone for the bottom corner, but just got it wide. Time running out for Australia as that heads over the baseline. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Australians work it into the cirlce through Slattery and Perras with Williams then looks to have a shot on goal, getting it off a foot (looked like Unsworth back there) and Australia have a penalty corner. Big opportunity. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Perras brings Australia into the circle and the ball gets through the line of defence. She takes a shot at goal but great movement from Hinch and she sends it over the baseline. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Britain lose control over the baseline and Kenny will link with Slattery to move the Aussies down field. They now go through Perras but she runs into some heavy traffic. Play again breaking down. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Australia look to move forward after an obstruction before Danson takes it for Britain. She looks to have lost it but it is off an Australian foot so Britain free hit. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' The Aussies working it onto the attack but they can't make anything happen. Britain look to go the other way and again play breaks down. Richardson and Walsh looking to get it out of their own end. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' The game really breaking down at the moment. Claxton gives away a free. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' An attacking raid for the Aussies ends with a feeble shot into the circle, kicked away by Hinch. Australia with another raid through Sablowski but that ends in an error. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Morgan and Claxton looking to bring it forward for Australia. She protects the ball and picks up a free hit. Australia work it to the circle, Slattery overruns a ball and then gives away a free hit to McLeod. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Parker now looking to send a throw down there for Australia and it is out, over the baseline. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 10' Britain's defence caught out badly here with a very dangerous brilliant ball into the circle but they can't finish. Same deal at the other end and Britain should have finished but Owlsley really makes a poor decision there. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 11' The Aussies work it up through Emily Smith and then down the right flank through Cullen and Slattery with it eventually going over the baseline off England. Australia work it around the mid field through Kenny and a long ball forward but it goes through and out. Great Britain 2 Australia 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 12' Morgan good in defence there and she links with Dwyer. Little untidy as they try to send Australia the other way and eventually will pick up a free hit as Morgan goes to ground. Great Britain 2 Australia 1