Germany vs. Australia 3-1 (half-time 1-1)

Australia picked up its first points at the 2012 Olympics after a 3-1 win against Germany. The game was the second surprise of the day in the competitive Group B after the Americans defeated Argentina.

Germany got on the board nine minutes into action, cleanly converting its first penalty corner chance of the game. Katharina Otte played put in the 1-0 goal from the post, silencing the strong contingent of Australian fans.

Australia perked up after falling behind and peppered the German goal. Their efforts were finally reward when Hope Munro tied the game at one after putting in a rebound. This time it was Germany’s turn to bump their efforts up a notch and they did just that, spending the rest of the half, especially the last five minutes keeping Australian goalkeeper Toni Cronk on her toes. But Cronk held her ground and both teams had to settle for a 1.1 draw at the break.

Australia took its first lead of the game 10 minutes into the second half when Anna Flanagan fired the ball into the upper corner of the net on a short corner chance. The lead doubled within another ten minutes when Fiona Boyce deflected in the 3-1 goal on a penalty corner shot by Flanagan.

Australia’s win creates a traffic jam of teams sitting at three points. Argentina, Germany, USA and Australia are all tied with three points in the tightly packed Group B. New Zealand leads the group with six points and South Africa is bringing up the rear with no points.

(Eric Bailey)

Michael BEHRMANN (GER)
On losing to Australia:
"At the end I think we have to accept that the Australian team were the better team tonight. We had some chances in the first half to go into half-time 2-1 up, but at the end the Australia team were really consistent. We didn't create a lot of chances so we have to accept it."

On Germany's chances in Pool B:
"I think it's a very strong group we are playing in. In advance I thought it would be hard to go past the round-robin stages. Now we have three points out of a possible six, we need to win the next three. Next we have Argentina and New Zealand so everything is still possible, it is still very close. Each team is able to beat another one and we will see which team will go through, and how many points will be good enough to go to the semifinals."

Anna FLANAGAN (AUS)
On earning Australia's first win at London 2012:
"I'm stoked. We just worked so hard and to finally get some goals away, it's a really good feeling"

On replacing Jodie SCHULZ (AUS) as penalty corner taker mid-way through the match:
"I guess it's part of our tactics. She has amazing statistics on corners, she does convert a lot. It just depends, I guess, who it goes to."

Hope MUNRO (AUS)
On whether Australia changed their tactics after losing to New Zealand in their opening game:
"We didn't change too much. We believed in our process, we created a lot of chances against New Zealand but just didn't put them away. That was our focus tonight, to create chances, be desperate and aggressive in the circle, and the results would come. We have a very aggressive style and teams like Germany struggle as they are not used to it."