Late double takes Hockeyroos to top of Paris pool

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Late double takes Hockeyroos to top of Paris pool

A final-minute goal has taken the Hockeyroos to the top of their Olympic pool and secured a quarter-final against China in Paris.

Needing a two-goal win against Spain to leapfrog Argentina – and importantly avoid ********* dangers Belgium or Germany in a final-eight knockout – Australia started brilliantly on Saturday.

Mariah Williams beat two Spanish defenders with a wicked left-to-right aerial drag, then found Arnott’s stick with a pinpoint cross as Australia led after just 92 seconds.

It was Arnott’s third goal of the campaign, the striker delivering after coming from the clouds to win an Olympic berth barely a year after her Test debut.

Spain tightened up though and had the better of the second quarter. *********** goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram made back-to-back saves on penalty corners and then staved off a one-on-one opportunity.

Eventually they broke through when Lola Reira converted her penalty ******* late in the third term.

The Hockeyroos finished stronger though, Stephanie Kershaw continuing her fine tournament with a deflection from a penalty corner with five minutes to go.

Spain then replaced their goalkeeper with a field player inside the final two minutes as they rolled the dice to find an equaliser.

It backfired though, with the Hockeyroos turning them over and captain Kaitlin Nobbs slapping home the winner in the final minute.

It followed a 3-3 draw against Argentina and three other wins from pool action, top spot in the pool meaning they’ll avoid the imperious Netherlands until the gold medal game.

Australia won three golds in four Olympics, but have not podiumed since the third of those in Sydney, 24 years ago.

China are still to play France in their final pool game but would need to lose by 13 goals to the hosts to slide out of fourth place.

Quarter-finals will be played on Monday at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.

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