Brisbane Blaze stars in Hockeyroos squad for Olympic qualifiers against Russia
The Hockeyroos are down to their last chance to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Olympics and four Brisbane Blaze stars will be doing their bit to get them there.
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Four Brisbane Blaze players have been named in the Hockeyroos squad for next week’s do-or-die Olympic Games qualifiers against Russia in Perth.
Defenders Madison Fitzpatrick, Jodie Kenny, and Renee Taylor, and striker Rosie Malone are part of an 18-strong squad out for redemption following last month’s Oceania Cup loss to New Zealand.
The Black Sticks prevailed on goal difference in the best-of-three Cup to snare an automatic berth at Tokyo 2020.
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The Hockeyroos’ second chance to qualify for a 10th straight Olympics is by beating the Russians on aggregate over two games on Friday week and Saturday week at Perth Hockey Stadium.
“The results in the Oceania Cup were very close, they could have gone either way and it was obviously disappointing for us, but New Zealand are a very good team and it was always going to be a tough assignment as they have played in the semi-finals at the last two Olympic Games,” Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said.
“Fortunately we get another chance to qualify and we also get an opportunity to train together for a few more weeks in the lead up to these matches which is pleasing.
“One of the things that happened when we came off a loss in the qualifying series against New Zealand was that it does incite a bit of fire within everyone to get the result we need.”
Meanwhile, the Blaze on Friday night play at home for the first time in the new Hockey One competition.
The Blaze play the Tassie Tigers in a double-header at the State Hockey Centre at Colmslie. The women’s match starts at 6pm, with the men’s game to follow at 7.30pm.
Originally published as Brisbane Blaze stars in Hockeyroos squad for Olympic qualifiers against Russia