Hockeyroos beat Japan 3-0 to end Perth International Festival of Hockey 2024 with a win

The Australian women’s hockey team concluded its campaign in the Perth International Festival of Hockey 2024 with a 3-0 win over Japan on Sunday.

Playing at the Perth Hockey Stadium, the Hockeyroos struck through Claire Colwill (12’), Ambrosia Malone (42’) and Maddison Brooks (51’) to blank Japan in the final match of the triangular series.

The Hockeyroos played two matches each against Japan, the People’s Republic of China and Australia A during the hockey festival.

The Aussies beat Japan by a goal in their first match before claiming 4-0 and 3-1 victories over Australia A. Against China, the Hockeyroos came back from 2-0 down to snatch a draw but lost the second fixture 3-2. China, with just one draw and five wins, topped the table and clinched the Perth Women’s Cup.

Australia, fourth in the world hockey rankings, got their first goal through Claire Colwill from a penalty corner as Colwill fired it through between the legs of the Japanese goalkeeper to open the scoring. Japan, ranked 10th, were solid in defence after conceding the goal and the scoreline remained 1-0 at half-time.

However, Ambrosia Malone pounced on a defensive lapse from Japan at the edge of the D to make it 2-0 with three minutes to go for the end of the third quarter.

Despite having a two-goal lead, Australia continued to press forward and found their third goal through Maddison Brooks in the 51st minute.

This was the final home game for the Hockeyroos before the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Australian team will now prepare for the Europe leg of the FIH Pro League season starting next month, where they will face Belgium, Argentina, Great Britain and Germany.