GERRINGONG’S Grace Stewart and her Hockeyroos have split their two opening FIH Pro League matches in Melbourne at the weekend.
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On Saturday, the Hockeyroos have ended almost a decade of Dutch dominance with a ground-breaking 1-nil win over world champions Netherlands.
The Hockeyroos secured the upset over the world number one Netherlands, thanks to a number of defensive stops from local gun Rachael Lynch and a fantastic field goal in the 21st minute from Jane Claxton.
The victory was Australia’s first over the Dutch since July 2009 at the Champions Trophy.
It was also the Hockeyroos’ first over the Netherlands in 19 attempts.
The result was the perfect start for the Hockeyroos’ maiden campaign in the new FIH Pro League, which has been launched this year.
“We always know the Dutch will come out hard and play well,” player of the match Lynch said.
“We hung on. It makes a difference when you can score – one will do in this situation.
“It’s been a long time coming, so I’m rapt.”
Some strong attacking pressure from co-captains Jodie Kenny and Emily Chalker created a number of scoring opportunities in the first half and held the home team in good stead.
The Hockeyroos continued to mount the pressure throughout the third term and were able to draw consecutive penalty corners through Rosie Malone.
Hometown hero Lynch asserted herself in the final term, stopping a crucial shot from Kyra Fortuin before preventing Yibbi Jansen from scoring with a diving save.
Lynch could do no wrong late in the match, she stopped a rocketing penalty corner shot in the 56th minute, securing the Australian victory.
A late referral from the Netherlands threatened to give them an equalising opportunity but the decision was overturned.
“It’s pleasing. It’s good for the girls. We didn’t play that well but we found a way. Hopefully it’ll instil some belief,” Hockeyroos Paul Gaudoin said.
On Sunday, the Hockeyroos fell just short of Belgium in a nail-biting 2-1 clash in Melbourne in the FIH Pro league on Sunday evening.
It was a tightly contested affair early but Belgium broke out to a two-goal lead late in the fourth thanks to scores from Michelle Struijk and Louise Versavel in the 35th and 47th minutes respectively.
Brooke Peris did her best to bring Australia back from the brink in the dying minutes of the game, backing her way into the attacking circle and nailing a powerful field goal in the 57th minute of the match.
Australia now sits fourth on the FIH Pro League ladder having recorded one win and one loss.
The Hockeyroos head to Tasmania next week to take on Germany and China.
“It’s disappointing, we didn’t come out with the vigour that we were hoping for after what we did against Holland,” Gaudoin said.
“Disappointing with our result and our performance, our skill level and physical effort has to be better.
“There was a bit of fatigue there but there’s no excuses.
“We need to be better with the ball and cleaner.”
The Australians did their best to tie up the match late, creating several consecutive penalty corner opportunities and subsequent scoring chances.
The Hockeyroos pulled goalkeeper Rachael Lynch from the field with a minute to spare giving them an extra player in attack.
As a result Hockeyroos captain Emily Chalker was able to run the ball baseline in the dying seconds of the match, her shot was on target but goalkeeper Aisling D’Hooghue defended the play perfectly, securing the Belgium win.
The Hockeyroos must now turn their attention to Saturday’s match against China in Tasmania.
