- Hockeyroos crashed out in quarters final
- Went into the clash as hot favourites
The Australian Hockeyroos’ Olympic campaign is over after a shock quarter-final loss to China.
The Aussie women went into the must-win clash as hot favourites and undefeated but went down 3-2 against eighth ranked China, who came from behind in a massive boilover.
The Hockeyroos have won three gold medals but haven’t been on the podium since their last gold medal in Sydney 24 years ago.
They finished fifth in 2004, 2008 and 2012 and sixth at Rio 2016 and three years ago in Tokyo.
The heartbreak comes just hours after the Australian mens side also bowed out in their quarter-final against the Netherlands.
The Hockeyroos were inconsolable on the pitch post-match after failing to progress to the final four for a sixth Olympics in a row,
Australia hit the lead after 10 minutes but held their lead for just one minute when China hit back to equalise.
China then seized control in a boilover reminiscent of the Hockeyroos’ shock loss to India at the same stage in Tokyo three years ago.
The Hockeyroos were inconsolable after crashing out of the Olympics in the quarter finals
The Hockeyroos have failed to progress to the semi-finals for a sixth straight Olympics
A sloppy moment in the second quarter cost Australia, Dan Wen muscling in China’s second.
A third came in controversial fashion, Zhong Jiaqi roofing her backstick and a review unable to find a potential Chinese foot in the build up.
Australia began to penetrate the circle, Ye Jiao’s diving save denied Clair Colwill late in the third quarter while another penalty corner broke down and Grace Stewart missed a bouncing cross when the goal beckoned.
They won a corner from that chance though, and luck turned when Tatum’s Stewart’s slap hit took four touches on four Chinese players and somehow bobbled over the line.
China came from 1-0 down to cause a 3-2 upset against the Hockeyroos
That luck dried up in a fourth quarter riddled with chances but ending in tears.
Chinese goalkeeper Ye Jiao made two terrific saves to end Australia’s Paris hopes – that had soared after an unbeaten, impressive pool stage – in devastating fashion.
China will now play Belgium or Spain on Wednesday for a place in the gold medal game.
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