- Hockeyroos out of Olympics
- They lost controversially to China
- Captain Jane Claxton expressed her frustration
Retired Hockeyroos captain Jane Claxton has let out a vengeance after two “bizarre and worrying” decisions in a shock 3-2 defeat to China that knocked them out at the quarter-final stage of their sixth consecutive Olympics.
Australia scored first but held the lead for just a minute in Paris on Monday morning; China took control in a match reminiscent of the Hockeyroos’ shock loss to India at the same stage in Tokyo three years ago.
China’s third goal, a brilliant tomahawk from Zhong Jiaqi following a penalty corner, was awarded despite replays suggesting the ball had hit a Chinese body during the move.
Then, with 90 seconds remaining and Australia pressing to equalise, they had a penalty corner disallowed.
The referees deemed a Hockeyroos header towards the circle to be too close to a Chinese defender, even though she did not appear to be contesting possession.
Australia still had five penalty corners in the final quarter, including four in succession, plus another golden opportunity that goalkeeper Ye Jiao brilliantly denied.
China had dominated the latter stages of the first half, pressuring Australia into repeated mistakes as they tried to go on the attack.
Asked about the pair of costly decisions, Claxton, who shared captaincy duties with Kaitlin Nobbs in Paris, did not miss a beat and confirmed his retirement.
The Hockeyroos have been eliminated from the Olympics
They lost in a controversial fashion that left Captain Jane Claxton furious.
“Those kinds of little things start to add up and make a big difference,” he said.
‘It’s interesting what you see on the big screen compared to what you see on a computer screen.
“It’s so controllable… images on a screen that you can slow down and watch from any angle… it’s strange, completely strange, but it’s the nature of the beast.
“It’s in the codes, pretty clear and straightforward… it’s worrying.”
However, hats were tipped to China, who ran away and held on for victory to create history under former Hockeyroos player Alyson Annan and her assistant Ric Charlesworth, both two-time Olympic champions as player and coach respectively with Australia.
Alice Arnott continued her fine campaign with a goal in the 10th minute, but China responded a minute later, with a brilliant finish from Ma Ning who trapped the ball in the side netting.
A sloppy second quarter cost Australia dearly, Dan Wen came through in China’s second and they led 3-1 until the final moments of the third quarter when Tatum Stewart’s shot hit four Chinese players and went over the line.
The defeat was a second devastating blow to Australian hockey hopes in as many days following the Kookaburras’ loss to the Netherlands at the same stage on Sunday.
“They got involved, they delivered and we did well today, but China was better,” coach Katrina Powell said.
‘We expected the quality, the game, the physicality… they are prepared for anything and we have our way of doing things.
The retired captain criticised the controversial refereeing decision after the match
‘They are a strong, physical and aggressive team and we want to play good hockey.
“But if you want to play with a good brand you have to be strong.”
Annan has taken the team from 14th to 8th in the world in 18 months and they will now play either Belgium or Spain on Wednesday for a place in the gold medal match.
“These are mixed feelings,” Annan said.
‘Of course I wouldn’t want this to be a quarter-final and one of us to go home.
-It shouldn’t be… I’d rather this was the final.
“We are as physical as any other team. Eighteen months ago our players walked out of games saying ‘take the ball’.”