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Renee Taylor has scored twice to send Australia’s women’s hockey team into the Women’s World Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 win against Spain.
Taylor produced two quality drag flicks against host nation Spain to ensure the Hockeyroos advance into their eighth World Cup semi-final from the past nine editions of the tournament.
The Hockeyroos will play defending championships and world No.1 the Netherlands early Sunday, Australian time, while Germany meet Argentina in the other semi.
Taylor was the standout against Spain as the Australians celebrated Jane Claxton’s 200th international with a stirring triumph.
«What an achievement, 200 games and in a World Cup quarter-final as well, I’m so glad we could step it up and play the way Jane does,» Taylor said.
«Hard, competitive and giving it our all — congratulations on 200 games Jane, we are stoked.»
The Hockeyoos struck inside three minutes at the Terrassa Olympic Stadium after Steph Kershaw won the first penalty corner of the match.
Taylor stepped up to put her drag flick expertly between Spain goalkeeper Georgina Oliva and Turnkey Sportsbook Software Xantal Gine, the ball thundering into the backboard.
The goal was Taylor’s first since September 2019 and marked the midfielder’s successful return after she recovered from major hip surgery.
Some desperate Spanish defending prevented the Hockeyroos from doubling their advantage just before halftime as Australia amassed seven shots to three in the opening 30 minutes.
The Hockeyroos’ second goal came in the 41st minute when the Australians were awarded another penalty corner when Rosie Malone was struck on the hand by a high ball inside the circle.
Again it was Taylor to the fore, the 25-year-old connecting with her drag flick superbly as she angled an unstoppable effort into the corner of the net.
Staring down the barrel of defeat, Spain took off their goalkeeper for the last four minutes to give themselves an extra outfield player but it was to no avail as the Australians recorded their third clean-sheet of the tournament.