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Georgie Parker calls out Hockeyroos travesty after Aussies dudded in Olympics controversy

The Hockeyroos lost to China in the quarter-finals in hugely contentious circumstances.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

Former Hockeyroos player Georgie Parker has blasted the officiating in Australia's devastating loss to China at the Olympics, after the Aussies were dudded by a number of controversial calls. For the second-straight Olympics, the Hockeyroos were bundled out in the quarter-finals after going through the pool stage undefeated.

But there was high controversy on Monday night when China were awarded a controversial goal despite the ball clearly hitting one of the player's legs. Australia scored the first goal but held the lead for just one minute in Paris, with China causing a huge upset reminiscent of the Hockeyroos' shock loss to India at the same stage in Tokyo three years ago.

Hockeyroos players, pictured here in tears after their controversial loss to China at the Olympics.
Hockeyroos players were in tears after their controversial loss to China at the Olympics. Image: AAP

But China's third goal - a brilliant Zhong Jiaqi tomahawk in the aftermath of a penalty corner - shouldn't have counted. It was awarded despite replays suggesting the ball had hit a Chinese body in the build-up.

And with 90 seconds remaining and Australia pressing for an equaliser, they had a penalty corner overturned in controversial fashion. Officials deemed a Hockeyroos overhead into the circle was too close to a Chinese defender, despite her not appearing to be contesting possession.

Chinese players, pictured here celebrating after knocking Australia out of the Olympics.
Chinese players celebrate after knocking Australia out of the Olympics. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Former Hockeyroos player Parker was left fuming in commentary as the Aussies lost 3-2. "It looked like it hit the thigh of the Chinese player," she said on Channel 9 about China's third goal. "I'm gonna have to turn my mic off, I will have some choice words otherwise. For me, that clearly hit the thigh ... that is so frustrating. I do not know how they can not see that it hit the body. Great finish in the end ... but I'm really angry."

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Aussie players were in tears after the match in devastating scenes. "This is so heartbreaking," Parker said. "It's such a shame that we aren't coming home with something to show for it."

Co-captain Jane Claxton told Channel 9: "We put some really solid performances in and it's heartbreaking that it comes down to one game. You can win as much in the round games as you like and then it comes to quarter-finals... we were on top of them in the second half and we couldn't convert unfortunately, and that's, yeah, as much as you can kind of say."

Claxton was also highly critical of the calls that went against her side. "Those types of small things start to add up, make a big difference," the retiring veteran said. "It's interesting what you see on the big screen compared to what you seen on a computer screen.

"That's so controllable ... images on a screen you can slow down and see on any angle ... it's strange, completely strange but it's the nature of the beast. It's in the rule books, pretty black and white ... it's worrying."

Despite the controversy, Australia still had five penalty corners in the final quarter - including four in a row. They also had another golden chance brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Ye Jiao.

"They bought in, delivered and we were good today but China were better," coach Katrina Powell said. "We expected the quality, the trickery, the physicality ... they're prepared to do whatever and we have our way of doing things. They're a strong, physical, aggressive team and we want to play a nice brand of hockey. But if you want to play a nice brand you've got to bring the strength."

Viewers were also up in arms while watching back home in Australia. Many said the Hockeyroos were robbed, with China's third goal labelled a 'disgrace' and 'absolute joke'.

with AAP