Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Hockeyroos’ World Cup campaign goes on after Australia fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against China in a tense second stage encounter.
A penalty stroke equaliser from Abi Wilson 12 minutes from time in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam, kept the Aussies in the competition with the semi-finals still within reach.
With joint-hosts the Netherlands beating India 2-0 later on Friday Australia are third in Pool E, on goals scored, above India.
Netherlands top the group with two wins and are already qualified for the last four with China second, on two points.
Should Australia beat India in their final stage two game on Sunday (Monday 0300 AET), and China fail to beat Netherlands, the world No.1 and defending champions, Australia are through.
Alternatively a draw, and a three-goal loss for China, would also put Australia through, on goal difference.
To Ausralia’s benefit the Netherlands-China match, a repeat of the Paris 2024 Olympic final, is played first. They will know what they require against India.
China beat Australia 3-2 in the quarter-finals Paris on their way to silver, so the Hockeyroos knew they faced a close match.
In a tightly contested opening quarter, China applied plenty of pressure but neither side was able to create a clear-cut opportunity in front of goal as the scores remained locked at 0-0.
Australia were dealt a concerning blow when Sarah Byrnes was struck in the head by the ball, forcing her from the field in the arms of the team’s medical staff.
The Hockeyroos began to create more opportunities in the second quarter, earning two penalty corners, but were unable to find a way through a disciplined Chinese defence.
With neither side able to break the deadlock, the teams headed into half-time locked at 0-0.
Although Australia opened the third quarter on the front foot it was China who struck first.
A penalty corner in the 39th minute provided the breakthrough, with Ying Zhang converting .
With their World Cup campaign hanging in the balance, the Hockeyroos pushed hard.
Four consecutive penalty corners resulted in a 48th-minute penalty stroke ti=ucked away by Wilson.
That set up a frantic finish but the Hockeyroos were unable to capitalise on a last-minute penalty corner.
