Commonwealth Games Day 8: Hockeyroos qualify for final after controversial shoot-out

Boos echoed around the venue as the Hockeyroos qualified for the gold medal match after defeating India in a controversial shoot-out.

Tyson Otto and Nic Savage

less than 2 min read

August 6, 2022 - 8:18AM

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Team Australia celebrate after victory in the Women's Hockey Semi-Final match between Team Australia and Team India on day eight of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at University of Birmingham Hockey & Squash Centre on August 05, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

It was a huge day at the track for Australia, headlined by a double-medal finish for the Aussies in the men's decathlon.

Daniel Golubovic and Cedric Dubler fell agonisingly short as they desperately tried to steal the gold medal from Grenada’s Victor Lindon in the final 1500m run, earning a silver and bronze respectively.

Steve Solomon and Ella Connelly both nailed their semi-finals at Alexander Stadium, qualifying for the men's 400m final and women's 200m final.

However, Australia's Nicola Olyslagers, who won silver at last year's Tokyo Olympics, withdrew from the women's high jump final with injury after sustaining a tear in her calf during yesterday’s qualification round.

Meanwhile, the Hockeyroos progressed through to the gold medal match against hosts England after their semi-final against India ended in controversial scenes.

Updates

‘National outrage’: Huge Comm Games drama

Nic Savage

The Hockeyroos have qualified for the final after defeating India in a dramatic shoot-out in the semi-final.

Scores were locked at 1-1 when the full-time siren sounded, sending the must-win contest to a shoot-out.

But it started in controversial circumstances.

Australia's Rosie Malone botched her first spot hit to immediately put the Hockeyroos on the back foot.

However, the umpire called for a retake because the shot clock had not started due to a big screen malfunction.

Malone made no mistake the second time, with boos echoing around the Birmingham venue after she put the ball in the back of the net on her second attempt.

"That would be a national outrage if that happened to Australia," Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson said.

Former Hockeyroos star Georgie Parker described the decision as “amateur and unfortunate".

The Hockeyroos ultimately won the shoot-out 3-0 with goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram saving all three of India’s attempts.

The Aussies will face hosts England in the gold medal match.

Heartbreak for @TheHockeyIndia but that's just unacceptable. Can you believe it? The clock did not start!#B2022 #CWG2022India #Hockey #indiavaus
— Sandip Sikdar (@ronnie_sandip) August 5, 2022

Clock had not started

Unbelievable!

Shoot was taken n saved , how does it even dependent on clock start or stop!#BadDecisions #CWG2022 #B2022
— Pankaj Nain IPS (@ipspankajnain) August 5, 2022

This is just heartbreaking 💔#INDvAUS #Hockey #B2022 pic.twitter.com/vnwpA9xoUw
— Daya sagar (@DayaSagar95) August 5, 2022

"We have worked hard and know the bronze medal match is very important for us," Indian captain Savita Punia said after the defeat.

"But as a captain and as a senior player, it is my duty (to motivate them). We will make a comeback."

India coach Janneke Schopman continued: "It is tough and I think we’re trying as coaches to be able to…but that is life. It is emotional and there was so much at stake. Of course, they need to not be influenced by it, but they’re also humans and it did play a role."

Two Aussie medals in men's decathlon

Nic Savage

Australian athletes Daniel Golubovic and Cedric Dubler have claimed silver and bronze respectively in the men's decathlon in Birmingham.

Golubovic put together a colossal effort in the final event, the 1500m race, crossing the finish line first to end on 8197 points.

He needed to finish at least 23 seconds ahead of Grenadian Lindon Victor to win gold.

But he couldn't manage to topple Victor on the overall tally, crossing the line 21 seconds ahead of the eventual champion.

“Thank you, I had to dig for that,” Golubovic said afterwards.

“It is cold out here and there is nothing in the works. Two decathlon in 12 days – I don’t recommend it.

“It’s been an incredible experience, coming down and moving back to Australia and back to Brisbane during COVID, it’s been a wild few years and it’s been a long process to get here. It feels so good to be on this stage right now.”

It marks first time in a century that Australia has clinched two medals in decathlon.

Connolly through to 200m final

Nic Savage

Australia's Ella Connolly has qualified for the final of the women's 200m event inBirmingham.

“I’m so pumped. It is crazy. It feels good,’’ she told reporters.

“I feel like I executed a good race. Commonwealth Games is championship racing, I needed to get top two to make the final and I am now looking forward to it.”

The 22-year-old registered a time of 23.41s in her semi-final, crossing second behind Nambian Christine Mboma.

Hockeyroos leading at HT

Nic Savage

The Australian women's hockey team hold a narrow lead in their semi-final match against India, leading 1-0 at half-time.

Aussie Olympic hero withdraws from final

Nic Savage

Australian athlete Nicola Olyslagers, who won silver at last year's Tokyo Olympics, has withdrawn from the women's high jump final in Birmingham with injury after sustaining a tear in her calf during yesterday’s qualification round.

“It’s both disappointing and devastating not to be able to compete in the Women’s High Jump final tomorrow morning,” Olyslagers said.

“What was thought to be a tight calf after my qualifying round turned out to be a torn muscle in my jumping leg.

“Of all the emotions and shock I could feel in the moment, I still have peace. Winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games four years ago allowed my professional career as a high jumper to begin, it was a competition that changed the trajectory of my life.

“My prayer is that someone else’s dream comes alive tomorrow as I cheer them on from the sidelines. Let’s go cheer Eleanor on as she jumps for Australia so well out there.”

Australian teammate Eleanor Patterson, who won last month's world title in Eugene, will compete in Saturday's final.

Aussie wins bronze minutes after serious injury

Tyson Otto

Wrestler Jayden Lawrence has revealed he ruptured his ACL before his bronze medal match in the men's 86kg category.

Lawrence said after the victory over South Africa's Edward Lessing that he had suffered the injury in his quarter-final earlier in the session.

He said he wouldn't be able to walk after finishing his interview with Channel 7.

"I got the medal. A long time coming. I've been training really hard for this. Giving up a lot. I'm so happy," he said.

"In the Pakistan match I got injured, I tore my ACL. I was a bit knackered there.

"in five minutes I won't be able to walk."

'You legend': Aussie picks up bronze

Tyson Otto

Diver Brittany O'Brien has picked up a silver for Australia in the 1m springboard after a clutch final dive.

O'Brien's final dive, a back 1.5 somersaults with 1.5 twists, was enough for her to hold onto the silver medal.

Aussie legend Matthew Mitcham was mightily impressed.

"She's nailed it. Absolutely nailed it," he said.

"Brittany O'Brien, you legend!"

Canada's Mia Jolie Doucet Vallee took gold, finishing 12 points ahead of O'Brien.

'Not legal': Ripped Jenneke denied record time

Tyson Otto

Aussie star Michelle Jenneke has run the fastest time of her life to thunder into the final of the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games.

The 29-year-old was looking absolutely shredded as she stood on the starter’s blocks before her heat and it turns out there is no secret behind the physical shape she is in which has her running the best times in her entire career. She told Channel 7 after the race she is in “the shape of my life”.

Jenneke finished second in Heat 3 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham and moves into the final with the second-quickest overall time, behind only world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria.

Jenneke’s time of 12.63 will not count as a new personal best because the time was wind-assisted.

However, the form is undeniably there.

'Devastated' Aussie star forced to withdraw

Tyson Otto

Caleb Ewan has ruled himself out of the men's road race in a devastating blow to the Aussie team.

The five-time Tour de France stage winner underwent surgery last wek to remove a surgical plate from his collarbone. The plate had been inserted last year after he crashed at the 2021 Tour de France.

AusCycling hoped Ewan would be able to compete despite the surgery, but he has since received medical advice that has forced him to pull out.

“I’m devastated that I won’t be able to represent Australia in the green and gold this weekend, but after talking with my doctors it’s clear that I need to make the difficult decision to prioritise my health,” Ewan said.

“I’ll be watching the race on television and hoping the team can get the job done for Australia.”

Australia still has Rohan Dennis, Luke Durbridge, Luke Plapp, Miles Scotson and Sam Fox in the race.