Australia and Germany faced off for the first time since the incredible bronze medal match at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 and while the scoreline was very different from the last encounter, it was Australia once again who came out on top, winning by a comfortable 3-0 margin, thanks to a Rosie Malone brace and a third goal in the final minutes of the game by Grace Stewart.

Australia vs Germany 3-0

Australia started the game dominating possession, but were nearly caught on a quick counter inside the first two minutes as Sonja Zimmerman cut through the midfield and threaded a pass beyond the defence to Lily Stoffelsma who was through on the goal with just the keeper to beat, but she failed to bring the ball under her control and the chance was lost. Australia got their first big chance midway through the first quarter as a deflected ball fell to Brooke Peris in the circle and she dribbled past her marker and got a shot away, but Kubalski, back in goal for Germany, saved it with some ease. Australia won the only penalty corner of the opening quarter, but the low attempt was well saved on the line by Nike Lorenz as the teams stayed level after 15.

Germany started the second quarter much better than the first and had the ball in the goal inside the first minute, but the ball was deflected off a German foot before it went over the line and Australia survived. Australia were back on the front foot soon and Nike Lorenz gave away a penalty corner as she tripped up Jane Claxton just outside the German circle. The resulting corner was saved by Kubalski, but the rebound fell to Colwill who skied her shot. Australia eventually made their pressure count, scoring two quick goals through Rosie Malone. The first came through a pass by Schonell from the left, that Malone latched on to in front of the keeper and smashed into the roof of the goal, on the reverse. The second came from a turnover forced by Malone, as she took the ball all the way to the goal from the left and slipped her shot between the legs of Kubalski.

Jocelyn Bartram came up big, early in the second half, as she got her stick down to make an incredible save from a Nike Lorenz drag flick, as the Danas ramped up the pressure. Germany dominated the third quarter winning three further penalty corners, but their attempts from the corners were either off target or too feeble to bother Bartram. Nike Lorenz and Wortmann both had an opportunity each to get a shot away, but Lorenz’ shot was skied, while Wortmann hit the outside of the right sideboard of the goal. Australia had a great chance in the final minute to bump up their lead as a quick counter ended up with Amy Lawton who just had Kubalski in the German goal to beat, but her attempt was straight at the keeper.

Germany mounted the pressure throughout the final quarter as they looked for the goal that would bring them back into the game, but Australia defended brilliantly, deep in their own half. Germany switched their keeper for an extra outfield player midway through the quarter, but the Danas were unable to capitalise on the player advantage. It was Australia who got the final goal of the game as Stephanie Kershaw forced a turnover in the German half with 3 minutes left in the game and played a brilliant pass to Grace Stewart who passed the ball into an open goal and increased the Australian lead to 3, sealing the win and 3 points for the Hockeyroos.

Rosie Malone was awarded the player of the match for the second game running, and said: “We have prepared really well as a team and the whole squad playing as a unit allows me to keep my scoring run going. We know Germany has a really strong midfield, so winning that battle was crucial for us and we did that today.”

FIH Pro League – 12 February 2023

Sydney Olympic Hockey Center, Australia (AUS)

Result: Women’s Match 15

Australia 3-0 Germany

Player of the Game: Rosie Malone (AUS)

Umpires: Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Kelly Hudson (NZL), Kristy Robertson (AUS-video)