Rosie Malone hopes the Hockeyroos’ 6-0 defeat of China has “put fear in the eyes” of their gold medal rivals as the rejuvenated side continues to defy a troubled Olympic build-up.
Emily Chalker scored twice in the statement victory on Monday to follow their opening 3-1 win over Spain, coming after the program had been turned upside down by an external review in response to claims of body-shaming, bullying and other issues.
Katrina Powell, a key member of Hockeyroos teams that won Olympic gold in 1996 and 2000, was brought in as the new coach less than four months out from the Games, charged with turning things around.
And Powell has her side firing; their relentless, attacking brand on show in a performance goal-scorer Malone said may have turned heads.
“We see each other every day so I think it’s good to put a bit of maybe fear in their eyes about team Australia coming through,” she said.
“Building up to this we were a bit of the underdogs considering the year-and-a-half that we’ve had.
“But our team is in such a good place and if we’re putting a bit of fear in teams’ eyes watching this game … it’s all credit to our team and where we are at.
“Although it’s great to get the wins, there’s still lots to work on and we still have so much to show.”
Chalker scored two second-quarter goals before Brooke Peris slapped a loose ball out of the air and into the net just seconds into the second half.
Malone set up the second goal with a steal and pinpoint backstick pass and was then rewarded with one of her own when Amy Lawton’s slick build-up play put the ball on a platter.
Stephanie Kershaw then cleaned up the scraps after skilfully finding her way past two Chinese defenders into the circle before Grace Stewart blazed a shot that somehow squeezed through the goalkeeper’s pads and trickled over the line.
The smothering defence of Malone in the forward line had earlier set the tone as China struggled to find a way through the Australians.
The No.2-ranked side next face Japan, who lost 4-3 to China, on Wednesday.
AAP
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