Hockeyroos into gold medal match

Australia has won their way through to the Women's Hockey gold medal match this Saturday after prevailing over England 3-0 in today's semi final at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.

The Hockeyroos made the most of their limited opportunities with a late goal by Kate Hollywood in a fairly tight first half, while Emily Halliday and Suzie Faulkner made sure of the result with a goal apiece in a dominant second half.

Australia will play for gold this Saturday against the winner of tonight's semi final between New Zealand and India, while England will play for bronze against the loser.

The Hockeyroos won gold when hockey made its first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur 1998, but finished with a disappointing bronze in Manchester 2002.

Entering the semi final unbeaten and having only conceded two goals in four matches, there were lamenting signs for Australia early on, blatantly turning the ball over, committing basic skill errors and allowing England to dictate midfield possession.

The visitor's defence was looking solid early on, while their midfield helped set up several scoring opportunities from ample circle penetrations.

With their first two penalty corners, England wasted two golden opportunities to strike the first blow with wide shots, while the Hockeyroos' defence was under siege with the plethora of shots coming.

However, led by defender Halliday and captain Nikki Hudson, the home side began to arrest control and took a remarkable 1-0 lead into the half time break after 19-year-old Hollywood pounced on sloppy English defence to squeeze the ball into the goal from a close-in mad scramble.

That lead was propelled to 2-0 within a minute after the half when Halliday found an open corner in goal from a penalty corner and, with the slight deflection from an English stick, was able to slot it home.

Australia's composure, speed and versatility had lifted immensely throughout the second half, while England had lost all momentum as they had become evidently lethargic.

Faulkner, who had been creating plenty of scoring opportunities throughout the second half, eventually put her name on the score-sheet inside the final minute when she sneaked the ball past the English keeper in a tight struggle centimetres from goal.

Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray praised his side for their determination, after being under the pump for the majority of the first half.

"We just sort of kept at it and kept at it and eventually got on top," he said.

"If they (England) had of converted those penalty corners, it could have been a different story."

"I think we were a bit tentative at the start - their (England's) speed bothered us early on."

Defender Halliday, who scored in the 36th minute, alluded to the pressure causing nerves amongst the team at the start.

"We didn't start too well, I think there were a few nerves," said Halliday.

"At the back we just tried to deny them ... it was hard when it kept coming back," she said

"We just had to be patient though and wait for it (goals) to come, it was good that it did."

Co-captain Melanie Twitt was positive post-match about the group.

"It feels pretty good (making the gold medal match)," Twitt said.

"We basically wanted to get their defence under pressure and I think we did a really good job," she said.

"This is a good group and we're coming along in leaps and bounds."

Australia 3 (Kate Hollywood FG 29m, Emily Halliday PC 36m, Suzie Faulkner FG 70m)
England 0
Women's Semi Final. 23/03/2006. State Netball and Hockey Centre.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!