Paris — History for China, despair for Australia. Alyson Annan’s China reached the Olympic women’s semi-final for the first time since their Beijing 2008 silver, while the Hockeyroos’ failure to reach the last four continued after a 3-2 thriller.
Australia have now failed to go beyond the quarters since winning at Sydney 2000, a sixth straight last eight loss. And to think it was masterminded by two great Australians.
This was China’s day, who continue to impress on the world scene since Annan, and assistant coach Ric Charlesworth, took over prior to the 2022 World Cup.
Many of the China team can’t swim, but on Monday they stood tall as they withstood Australia’s nine PCs, largely through Ye Jiao’s saves, and countered to great effect. They had simply been clinical when handed chances. “Everything is possible. After all these years of effort, it’s the start,” said China’s Wen Dan.
Alice Arnott had opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Ma Ning equalised a minute later.
Wen then gave China the lead in the 20th minute and they took the advantage at the break. In the third quarter, Australia came out hard. Brooke Peris couldn’t turn in from one clinical circle move.
The match then turned in the 35th minute when Jiaqi Zhong smashed in a high reverse past Jocelyn Bartram.
The initial shot had been saved by the Australian, rebounding through a crouching Chinese player. The Hockeyroos went to review, claiming the ball had brushed the knee after the umpire had signalled an on-field goal. There was no conclusive video, with replays possibly indicating the ball had brushed the skort. The goal stood.
With 22 seconds left of an open quarter, Australia finally scored from the set piece. After several previous breakdowns, Tatum Stewart was credited with the goal.
Into the fourth, Australia mustered three PCs in a row and China staved off further danger with a successful video referral. China then held out as the seconds ticked and coach Katrina Powell sticking with her policy of not taking off her goalkeeper.
China, under former Hockeyroo Annan, will play either Belgium or Spain in the last four.
The wait goes for Australia. “It was a challenging game but we can’t wait until the next Olympics already,” said Kaitlin Nobbs.
