THE HOCKEYROOS sewed up a quarter final berth, and the best start to an Olympics campaign since the 1996 Atlanta Games, with a nail-biting 1-nil win over Japan on Wednesday evening.
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That's three straight wins for Parkes native Mariah Williams and her Hockeyroo teammates, who sit atop the Pool B standings with two matches to play (including one match to be played after press deadline on Thursday night).
Williams was again in everything as the focal point in Australia's attack, with the veteran setting up a number of chances and having a few shots of her own as the Hockeyroos peppered the Japanese defence with a typical relentless zeal.
The host nation got off to a great start, pushing the envelope with some very attacking tactics and forcing a smart save from Australian goalkeeper Rachael Lynch just three minutes into the game.
After a nil-all first term, it was an action-packed second quarter in comparison.
Japanese goalkeepr Sakiyo Asano saved a penalty stroke from Kaitlin Nobbs before her counterpart Lynch allowed Yuri Nagai to tap one in for Japan.
Fortunately for the Aussies the goal was overturned, with the ball not going the required five metres after a free hit.
Resolute defence from Japan ensured the scores stayed tied at half-time, but it took just three minutes into the third term for Australia to finally capitalise on their dominance; with Maddy Fitzpatrick slamming one home from the top of the circle following a penalty corner.
Commentator Georgie Parker had noted Australia's penalty corners had not been particularly effective throughout the Olympics so far; so the successful set piece will no doubt have pleased coach Katrina Powell, who rued the other opportunities missed for her side at the end of the game.
Two yellow cards in the last quarter made things far more difficult on Australia than it should have been, leading to a heart-stopping finish, but fortunately Rosie Malone and Rachael Lynch were able to stop a desperate Japanese side right at the death to secure a 1-nil victory.
AUSTRALIA 1 (M. Fitzpatrick 33') defeated JAPAN 0
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