Australia goes down in Sablowski’s 250th

The Netherlands have soured NSWIS’ Casey Sablowski’s 250th cap for Australia by defeating the Hockeyroos 2-1 at the Champions Trophy. 

To further dampen the Hockeyroos night, Sablowski’s teammates Jane Claxton (100 caps) and Georgie Parker (100 caps) were also celebrating milestones, 

With England’s weather at its best with non-stop rain throughout the match, the Netherlands were first up for a penalty corner five minutes into the game. They missed the corner, but only a minute later Michelle van der Pol scored a field goal following a pass from Eva de Goede.

Australia fought back to get the next penalty corner opportunity, with a scramble at the net following and the ball being awarded back to the Netherlands.

With six minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Netherlands were up for another penalty corner opportunity. The initial chance was followed by a second opportunity but this was deflected by both Goalkeeper Rachael Lynch, and with a dive from Captain Madonna Blyth that knocked the ball out of danger. 

Going into the second quarter and Australia were up first for a penalty corner six minutes in. The first opportunity was quickly followed by a second, but neither were converted for the Hockeyroos. A video referral saw a third chance for the Australians but this opportunity was also missed. 

The score going into half time remained at one nil with the Netherlands leading from Australia. The first minute into the third term saw the Netherlands up for a penalty corner, with the flick from Willemijn Bos extending the lead over Australia to 2 – nil. 

Kathryn Slattery almost had Australia on the board with a field goal on a turn flying into the net, but it was disallowed for obstruction leaving the score going into the final quarter at Netherlands 2 – nil Australia.

Slattery gained control of the ball into the final quarter dribbling it down the pitch before passing to Jane Claxton in the circle. Claxton passed back to Slattery who nailed the ball into the net to get Australia’s first goal of the game.

Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens said: “One of the things we tried to do was take a step closer to the Dutch, with the pitch the way it was, it made it very difficult for both teams. I thought that we competed really well. 

“It’s been quite frustrating, we just can’t take a trick with our video umpiring – I thought it was a goal from Kathryn Slattery. It’s very frustrating for the players because they work very hard and we’ve had a bad run of luck with some umpiring decisions.”

On celebrating her 250th game for the Hockeyroos, Sablowski said: “It was a really tight match, in really tough conditions. Hockey’s a really difficult game at the best of times, let alone when it’s pouring rain. 

“It just showed that we have to capitalise our opportunities up front, and definitely can’t let them in with any chances at the back. We were pretty good and contested through the midfield and probably lacked a little bit of speed with the slow pitch out there tonight.” 

Australia next play Great Britain on Saturday 25 June at 4pm BST / 11pm AWST / 1am AEST (Sunday 26).

NETHERLANDS 2 (1)

Michelle van der Pol 6 (FG) 

Willemijn Bos 31 (PC)                                                                                                                             

Defeated 

HOCKEYROOS 1 (0)

Kathryn Slattery 51 (FG) 

Hockeyroos’ squad v Netherlands

Madonna Blyth (Brisbane, QLD) 334/70

Jane Claxton (Adelaide, SA) 100/9 

Jodie Kenny (Wamuran, QLD) 178/97

Rachael Lynch (Warrandyte, VIC) 149/0

Karri McMahon (Berri, SA) 102/9 

Georgina Morgan (Armidale, NSW) 44/8 

Georgie Parker (Berri, SA), 100/31

Brooke Peris (Darwin, NT) 93/13

Casey Sablowski (Albion Park, NSW) 250/44

Kathryn Slattery (South Stirling, WA) 54/16

Emily Smith (Crookwell, NSW) 155/62

Used Substitute:

Edwina Bone (Evatt, ACT) 113/2 

Kirsten Dwyer (Mackay, QLD) 106/2

Georgia Nanscawen (Melbourne, VIC) 181/35

Grace Stewart (Gerringong, NSW) 20/9

Mariah Williams (Parkes, NSW) 48/5

Hockeyroos’ Fixtures:

Saturday 25 June: GBR v AUS | 4pm BST / 11pm AWST / 1am AEST (Sunday 26)

Sunday 26 June: Finals TBC