The Australian Hockeyroos will look to get their Commonwealth Games campaign off to a strong start when they take on Canada. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 4:30pm (AEST).
The Aussies had a Rio Olympics campaign which was anything but what they were after. The Hockeyroos bombed out of the quarter-finals after coming into the tournament with high hopes.
They have since beaten their betters from that World Cup though, putting New Zealand to the sword in the Oceania Cup last year.
To start 2018, the Hockeyroos have played nine Test matches – four against Spain and five against China. They had three draws against Spain, winning the other one to claim the series. While it proved their defence was rock solid, their attack against better sides still seems to be struggling, as it did at the Olympics.
The Hockeyroos made better use of their opportunities against a weaker China team, losing the first game before winning three of the next four to take the series. Their wins saw them pile on 13 goals in three games, with the Aussies attack working on all cylinders.
If it’s going to do that throughout this campaign captain Emily Smith and fellow forward Kathryn Slattery are going to need to be at the peak of their powers in a squad which has undergone some transformation. At the back, Edwina Bone will lead the effort.
The Aussies will be aiming to get off to a good start, but the Canadians, who have risen to number 19 in the world won’t be a push over.
They finished fourth at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, despite not qualifying for an Olympics campaign since 1992 or a World Cup since 1994. They have been on the improve, but it’s hard to say with any certainty just what they will bring to the contest.
Their main preparation for the Commonwealth Games was a four-match series away from home against the USA. They hadn’t beaten them in 14 years, but turned things around to win two and draw one of the four games.
With that win under their belt, they will be brimming with confidence and playing a very aggressive style under new coach Giles Bonnet will either pay off spectacularly or backfire in untold ways.
Put simply, Canada will either win or be beaten badly given their style of play in recent matches.
Prediction
Australia, at home and against a Canada squad who are going to struggle to make the finals, shouldn’t have too many problems here in getting their campaign off on the right foot.
Australia 4 – Canada 1.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Hockeyroos opening match at the Commonwealth Games from 4:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll do it for our live coverage of the Hockeyroos and Canada, right here on The Roar. Hopefully you enjoyed it. I'll be back at 7:30pm (AEST) for night 1 of the swimming finals on the Gold Coast. We will have cycling and netball live on the site this evening. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Australia whip it forward with barely any time on the clock here and the Hockeyroos will win their opening clash, despite one last ditch raid from the visitors. Australia were far from perfect throughout their opening clash of the tournament, but they pick up the win. At this stage of the tournament, a win is a win and Australia will take it as they move one step closer to qualification for the next stage. There is still a lot of improvement in this Hockeyroos team before they take on Ghana come Saturday evening. Canada will be disappointed and they have plenty to think about moving forward, especially with injury issues. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Well, Australia turn it over again and Wright brings it down the left, looking to flick it into the corner, but it's an elevated ball and the Hockeyroos have possession with half a minute to go. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Canada have butchered that. Sourisseau has missed the trap and hit her in the foot, giving away a free hit for Australia. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Well, this is quite something. Canada have taken the goalkeeper off to give themselves another attacking player. She can use her feet and body inside the circle, although that would be nuts without protective equipment. Anyway, Canada going all or nothing and after the ball pinned around a little bit, Sourisseau works it towards the circle and wins a penalty corner Huge moment right now. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Time running out for Canada now, with Australia starting to play a little more conservatively. Bone hits a ball up field, but it's taken away by Wright for Canada. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Haughn turns it over in defence for Canada now, but there is a genuine feeling the momentum of this contest has changed. Canada look more likely of the two teams to score right at the moment. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Canada are starting to get on a roll here, but they now give away a free hit trying to work it forward. Kenny flicks it forward, loses possession and then Canada are back into the circle before losing it over the baseline.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Canada's second penalty corner for the game. They have seven players at the top of the circle. Shot was fired by Johnston after getting a dummy pass from McManus and they worked that nicely, but it just goes wide of the post. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Canada quickly push forward and there's a video review now to see if we have a penalty corner. Has it come off an Australian foot inside the circle? And it has. Off Claxton just inside the circle. Penalty corner - Canada. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Claxton wins a free hit right on the edge of the circle. Australia have three shots on goal there, but Williams has made all three saves. That's fantastic goalkeeping! Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' This game is far from over with Canada just about back up to a full complement. McManus sends it forward, then Australia get possession again, Holzberger winning a free. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Great save from Lynch! She came racing out of the goals there and stopped Karringten in her tracks. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Push into the circle from Australia, but that was all a little bit out of control and Canada will take possession as it all ends up over the baseline. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Fey has a shot from the penalty corner, but it's been stopped wonderfully by Johannsen. It deflects out into the circle and Kershaw takes a shot, but it sails well over the top of the goals as Canada survive that bit of danger. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' The Hockeyroos looking dangerous here. They work it in from the right-hand side and there's a clash of sticks here, Australia winning a penalty corner. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Canada again turn it over. They just aren't playing all that well here. Long pass through to Hurtz now who has it deflected over the baseline. Corner for Australia. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 10' Canada slowly working it forward, then they get a corner and go all the way back to halfway. A flick pass forward is taken away by Holzberger though, before Smith goes forward and links back with Holzberger who is tackled. Lovely defence from McManus. Australia 1 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 11' Canada find themselves in possession now and work it back, just trying to stay in control with one less player on the field. They do turn it over trying to press forward, but the Hockeyroos give away a free. Australia 1 Canada 0