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| December 11, 2011 | |||||||||||||
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Australia played against China for its President’s Cup match. China has enjoyed good results in significant competitions over the years. In terms of the IHF world championships, it enjoyed a ‘meteoric’ rise from 21st place in 2007 to 12th place in 2009, 17th in 2005. For the Olympic Games, in held 6th place in 2008, 8th in 2004 but did not qualify for the Sydney Olympics in 2000, In the Asian Women’s world championship, it came 3rd in 2010, 2nd for both 2008 and 2006. As in previous games, the Aussies knew they were up against a formidable team. Nevertheless they went into the game with set goals and looked confident as they stepped onto the court.
The Aussies had the throw off however Allira Hudson-Gofers shot from 9metres was saved. Eager defense resulted in a penalty shot awarded to the Chinese, which was converted to make the first goal in the match at 0.58 game time. For the following five minutes the Chinese combined fast breaks and precision shooting to put a gap from the Aussies. This was despite the relentless attempts at goals by Allira Hudson-Gofers, Daniela Cook and Madeleine McCafee. Allira’s persistence paid off with a goal breakthrough; the score by then was 5:1. The Aussies appeared unsure as to how to deal with the fast and accurate play of the Chinese, which were further capitalised on by their opponents. It was not until another nine minutes that Madeleine McCafee broke the Aussie’s draught by goal from 6metres shot; score then being 12:2. Mary Kelly immediately followed with another goal from 6metres top right, adding one to the score tally 12:3.
It was another five minutes before Rosa Boyd’s attempts at goal was successful with a shot from 9 metres at middle left. This was the last goal for the Aussies. The Chinese progressively widened the score as it continued to dominate the match. Cathy Kent was certainly kept on her toes throughout the first half but valiantly copped the fast breaks shots at goal. Half Time Score – CHINA 22 : AUSTRALIA 4 Jemima Harbort took over at goal at second half. The Aussies came out fighting as soon as they went on court. They were more organised and more spirited, and had good attempts at goal. However, the Chinese continued to dominate the play into the first six minutes of the second half.
Daniela Cook succeeded to put one away for the Aussies at 36.29 game time, the score then being 27:5. Team mate Victoria Fletcher followed this with a goal less than a minute later with a shot from left 9 metres, score then was 28:5. There were more attempts at goal by the Aussies but these were saved. The Chinese had another block of ten minutes to continue with fast breaks and fast paced play. After time out called by Head Coach Katsu Kinoshita, Daniela Cook scored for the Aussies from left 9metres shot, score then being 36:7. This was immediately followed by a goal by Clare Murray at 47.47 game time; the score was 36:8.
After three minutes, Daniela Cook successfully scored successive goals for the Aussies to bring the score at 40:10. Rosa Boyd put away the last goal for the Aussies with seven minutes left in the game. The score then was 41:11. Victoria Fletcher, Kim Tennant, Madeleine McCafee, Kim Tennant and Allira Hudson-Gofers continued with their attempts at goal but these were saved. Victoria Fletcher’s attempt at two seconds left in the game. Jemima Harbort had a couple of good saves too but these only momentarily halted the fast paced play by the Chinese. Full Time Score – CHINA 45 : AUSTRALIA 11 Goals AUSTRALIA – V Fletcher 1, A Hudson-Gofers 1, C Murray 1, M Kelly 1, D Cook 4, M McCafee 1, R Boyd 2 CHINA – Q Wei 4, Y liu 2, B Li 1, Z Luan 3, Y Li, C Lan 11, N Wu1, L Sun 2, Z Sha 2, X Lan 7, Y Wu 5 The comments on this match were provided by Clare Murray [Player No. 5] and Jemina Harbort [Player No. 1]. Clare have only been playing for three years but have made a mark in Australian handball. Prior to Clare’s debut in 2011 WC, her highest level of competition was representing Queensland in national championships. Jemima has been in the Australian women’s team for 4 years as Goalkeeper. She has represented Australia in two Qualifyers and in 2009 WC.
Clare’s comments: “ The World Championship has been a new and amazing experience. The game today was physical and fast, and China was very tough opponent. We did pick up our game in the second half, so hopefully we can take the positives from that really fire up in the play off tomorrow.”
Jemima’s comments: “I felt tonight’s game against China had some positive outcomes. In the second half we were able to pull together as a team and forced China to defend harder as our scoring started to get onto a roll. As a team, this was really positive with one game left for us in this championship. I believe we have shown real fight as a team. I hope the team and I can perform really well for our last game against Argentina. Overall I think this has been a good campaign for the Australian team as we have learnt a lot.”
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