Paris — Incredible. China are into their first Olympic women’s final since their home Games in 2008 after a dramatic ending to a semi-final which they nearly won outright until two minutes from time. After a barely believable ending, China advanced to play the world No.1 Dutch in Friday’s final, a riveting sub-plot with coach Alyson Annan lining up against the side she coached to Tokyo gold.
And, of course, a return after her gold medal playing days with the Hockeyroos. “It’s two different stages of my life, but this is pretty damn good,” she said after this late humdinger.
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She’s an amazing coach!
No nonsense!!
Love it!!
Good luck to China!!!
This has got to the worst article I’ve read in a while. Written by a 5 year no doubt or was it just chat GPTd. Was the editor drunk when it was signed off?
Who did they play?
What was the score?
What happened?
What was the controversy?
FO with click bait stuff.
Please read the article, Darren, if you are a subcriber. Every detail is in there.
Amazing how far a good coach and good skills can take you. I wonder what the average age of the Chinese team was? I am pretty sure none of these Chinese players would have got through the EH TA system, as they would not be considered good enough “athletes”.
Rounding down average age GB players 28 and Chinese 25. GB had 50% of players over 28 and China 12.5%.
You have to admire Alyson Annan’s coaching ability: she has taken this very ordinary and disparate Chinese team to an olympic final within a 3 year period. This proves beyond doubt, that with a coach of high quality, anything is possible, very well done Alyson and her team.
I have made other comments in a previous post about Alyson. She is a true legend in the game and would transform GB hockey. Most fans I spoke to at the China Belgium game last night agreed that GB women’s team need a total reset and the younger talent (and there is plenty of it) need to be promoted to the first team.
I did congratulate Alyson after the game and did pose the GB question. I think the boat may have sailed and we would have to join the queue behind Australia and Argentina…
Speaking to a few Dutch fans today around Paris, they agreed that the final will not be a pushover because Alyson has been prepping her team for 3 years and she was the best coach the Dutch have ever had.
Totally agree! China my not have a DeGoede, Welten or Van Gefen but they have the best keeper in the tournament.