Commonwealth Games 2022: England Pip Hockey Lou win first gold in Birmingham

The Hockey Loose won back-to-back silvers at the Commonwealth Games after England won 2–1 to win women’s hockey’s first ever gold medal in Birmingham.

Poor control in the attacking circle and a few defensive mistakes cost heavily for Australia as they recovered in the final quarter but were unable to put the finishing touches to kick off their comeback.

The result, in their first game against England since 2014, followed a 4–1 defeat in the final against four-time Commonwealth champions New Zealand four years earlier.

And that was just one year after an impressive third-place finish at last month’s World Cup, the program was overhauled following allegations of bullying, body-shaming and homophobic behavior. .

Coach Paul Gordoin trailed brilliant manager Toni Campston in a quarter-final loss to India just four months before last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

India’s semi-final defeat in Friday’s shootout gave Australia the means of revenge.

However, on Sunday they struggled in the front third, making it difficult to create real goal chances and failing to complete the job.

The teams enjoyed evenness in the midfield third, but it was the hosts backed by another full house who were cooler up front.

An unmarked Holly Hunt scored past Australian goalkeeper Aleixia Power to score the first goal.

A costly turnover in defense then gave England the possession and they swooped in, with Tess Howard roofing her deflection to take a 2–0 lead.

Katrina Powell’s team played with more freedom until the start of the third quarter, but once again seemed out of ideas as they entered the circle.

England’s penalty corner shot hit the pin inside the left post and did not go over the line, but the Hockey Loose’s faint hopes were kept alive.

Three Australian corners were swept away in five minutes of play in a row and the crowd felt it as the final gasp of Hockey Loose as the clock ticked.

Rosie Malone then swiped a loose ball from the penalty corner to score a consolation goal with just 26 seconds remaining.