Schulz downs Germany with late strike

Australia have recorded their first win of the tournament by defeating Germany 1-0 courtesy of a late penalty corner flick from Jodie Schulz in the second match of Day 3 at the Rabo FIH Champions Trophy.

The goal was a long time in coming, arriving in the inside the final five minutes of the match to give Australia great confidence ahead of the remainder of the tournament. Sadly for the Hockeyroos, the strike will not be enough to put them in the medal rounds due to their inferior goal difference to Germany.

For Germany, their chances of reaching the medal rounds now depend on the final match of the day between The Netherlands and New Zealand. If New Zealand lose by more than one goal Germany will qualify for Pool C and subsequently keep alive their hopes of success in the Rabo FIH Champions Trophy.

Germany were dominant for much of the first half, having 67 % of possession in their opponents half.  The Hockeyroos were forced to defend three penalty corners in the first half, but were certainly not without their chances, winning three penalty corners of their own which were unsuccessful.

The Australians certainly had the better of the opportunities towards the end of the first half, with Germany keeper Yvonne Frank being called into action to keep the scores level going into the half time break.   

Australia came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, putting the Germany defence under strain but unable to find the shots on goal that they were looking for. At the other end, Hockeyroos keeper Rachael Lynch pulled off a brilliant save to deny a clever deflection from Marie Mävers before the Australians wasted another penalty corner opportunity.  

The first goal of the both the match and the day came inside the final five minutes when Australia finally made the most of a penalty corner opportunity. Jodie Schulz stepped up to the mark and sent a low flick towards goal, which despite the best efforts of Frank found its way into the bottom left corner.

Germany were the width of a post away from scoring an equalizer in the dying seconds of the game, but Australia held on for victory.  

Review 10. Australia vs Germany 1-0 - Rabo FIH Champions Trophy 2011 

> Australia recorded their 9th CT win over Germany in 16 CT matches against them. Only the Netherlands have beaten Germany more often in CT competition, 11 defeats from 16 matches.

> Australia will finish outside the Top 4 for the third time in 18 Champions Trophy appearances. They also finished outside the top 4 at Amstelveen 2006 (5th) and Mönchengladbach 2008 (5th).

> Germany progress to Pool C if The Netherlands beat New Zealand by at least 2 goals later today.

> Australia’s penalty corner success rate at Amstelveen 2011 is now 1 for 16 (6%). They scored once from 6 PC’s awarded in this match.

> Australia scored once from 14 goal attempts today, including 12 shots on goal.

> Germany failed to convert any of their 3 PC’s today. Their PC success rate at Amstelveen has now gone down to 1 for 8 (12.5).