Canberra Chill found themselves in Melbourne at a do-or-die showdown against the top of the table HC Melbourne in what was a fitting semi-final. Canberra had clearly done their homework and matched HC Melbourne’s press but the game came down to a battle of the goalkeepers. It was HC Melbourne who was favoured by fortune and came away with a grand final spot beckoning.
On the back of the win, HC Melbourne will host the inaugural Sultana Bran Hockey One 2019 Grand Finals. These will be played as a double header (both men and women) at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne on Saturday 16 November 2019.
In a game that had a few opportunities, the mid-field was free-flowing but once the ball entered the circle both teams defended well. Both teams had short corners and field goal attempts but none found the back of the net in regulation time.
Everything came down to the team’s respective goalkeepers who are both world class stoppers and have been in excellent form throughout the season. HC Melbourne with Hockeyroos number one keeper Rachael Lynch, kept extremely well during the match and was able to stop an amazing five-out-of-five penalties. While Chill’s, Japanese keeper Sakiyo Asano, proved her class but HC Melbourne’s Madi Ratcliffe came to the rescue again sneaking one past Asano to seal the result and send HC Melbourne through to the Grand Final.
HC Melbourne will play Brisbane Blaze at 4pm on Saturday 16 November 2019 at State Netball and Hockey Centre (VIC).
Tickets will go on sale at 3pm AEDT today through Ticketek. The Sultana Bran Hockey One Grand Finals will be LIVE and exclusive on Fox Sports.
Match Details:
HC Melbourne 0 (1) M. Ratcliffe
Canberra Chill 0 (0)
HC Melbourne win 1-0 on penalties
Sunday 10 November 2019
State Netball and Hockey Centre (VIC)