Hockeyroos complete undefeated series against China

Hockeyroos 6 China 4 (3-1 half time)
Goals – Chn Lihua Gao 2m FG/ 41m FG, Aus Madonna Blyth 4m PC, Aus Casey Eastham 13m FG, Aus Georgian Nanscawen 20m FG, Aus Lisa Eglington 36m FG, Aus Ashleigh Nelson 42m FG/ 63m FG, Chn Yang Peng 53m FG, Chn Weilin Mao 58m FG

The Hockeyroos have finished off their six test series against China with a 6-4 win overnight in Perth.

The win caps off a remarkable series for the Hockeyroos in which they did not lose one game to the world number 4 team, defeating China in five out of six matches and drawing once.

The match was the final international match for the Hockeyroos for 2011 and is a good indicator as to how much development the team has made throughout the year under new coach Adam Commens.

Things did not go all the Hockeyroos way early, with China opening the scoring only two minutes into the game thanks to a field goal from Lihua Gao.

However Australia made the best possible response only minutes later, with captain Madonna Blyth levelling the score at the four minute mark via a penalty corner.

When Casey Eastham and Georgia Nanscawen contributed goals of their own within the first 20 minutes the Hockeyroos were well on their way of setting up a dominant lead in the early stages of the game.

The Hockeyroos continued to attack after half time, with newcomer Lisa Eglington extending Australia’s lead only one minute into the second half.

Another goal to China’s Lihua Gao gave them some hope, but once again the Hockeyroos responded immediately thanks to a goal to Ashleigh Nelson only a minute later.

China continued to push and when they converted two late goals they were back in the game.

However once again it was Nelson who responded for the Hockeyroos, scoring her second goal of the game in the dying minutes to confirm the win.

It will now be a nervous wait for the players with a 27 player National Olympic Squad to be selected on November 7.