Goals from Emily Smith, Jodie Schulz and Brooke Peris helped the Hockeyroos to a 3-3 draw against South Africa in the first of three Tests in Stellenbosch on Wednesday (22 January).
Striker Smith struck just before half time to level the score at 1-1 following Dirkie Chamberlain’s 14th minute opener before Schulz put the Hockeyroos in front ten minutes into the second half from a trademark penalty corner.
The lead lasted just five minutes before South Africa’s own penalty corner specialist Pietie Coetzee made it 2-2 from a set-piece. Chamberlain’s second goal put the South Africans back in front but there was still time for Peris to secure the draw with five minutes remaining.
Hockeyroos Head Coach Adam Commens said afterwards, “It’s certainly a better starting point than in 2013 but not the level of performance we should be satisfied with.
“In the first half we were particularly rusty. We were sloppy at the back and didn’t execute our game plan properly but I thought the second half was much better although we let in two soft goals – a penalty corner and a field goal that was particularly soft.”
The Hockeyroos finished 2014 as the silver medallists at the World League Finals in Argentina and the two week camp at the world class training facility in Stellenbosch marks the start of the team’s preparations for the World Cup in The Hague, which begins on 31 May.
Head coach Adam Commens elected to leave out some of his most experienced players with captain Madonna Blyth and Teneal Attard sitting out of the first match while goalkeeper Rachael Lynch was an unused substitute. Willoughby’s Mathilda Carmichael and Newcastle youngster Mariah Williams were among those less experienced players given the opportunity against South Africa. The match also saw the return from injury of Victorian defender Georgia Nanscawen, who has been out since the Junior World Cup in August.
Commens added, “It was a great opportunity to play some of our younger players and to play players in positions they’re not accustomed to. Karri McMahon and Anna Flanagan stepped up from defence to play in the midfield and both played particularly well in unfamiliar positions.”
With an intensive training schedule in addition to the three official Tests against South Africa, Commens believes the matches against the hosts will be “particularly tough.”
Australia v South Africa Test series, Women
Match 1 of 3
Stellenbosch, South Africa
On Twitter: @Hockeyroos
SOUTH AFRICA 3 (1)
Dirkie Chamberlain 14,58 (F,F)
Pieie Coetzee 50 (PC)
HOCKEYROOS 3 (1)
Emily Smith 31 (F)
Jodie Schulz 45 (PC)
Brooke Peris 65 (F)
Hockeyroos Tests v South Africa – remaining fixtures
Friday 24 January – 7pm local time (4am AEDT)
Saturday 25 January – 4pm local time (1am AEDT)
Source: Hockey Australia Media Release
