Lower than two hours after almost masterminding one of many greatest upsets within the historical past of the game, China girls’s head coach Alyson Annan confronted the world’s media within the post-Olympic remaining press convention.
Previous to the competition, the vast majority of reporters within the room (and people watching each within the stadium and on TV) believed that sizzling favourites the Netherlands – the reigning Olympic, World, European and FIH Hockey Professional League champions – would comfortably take the title.
That proved removed from being the case, with China surprising their illustrious opponents within the sixth minute due to Chen Yi’s completely angled close-range deflection. It was a lead they held till the 51st minute, with match high scorer Yibbi Jansen as soon as once more showcasing her penalty nook prowess with an unstoppable low drag-flick, forcing a shoot-out that her staff managed to win their fifth Olympic gold medal.
Whereas the Netherlands – one of the dominant sporting groups the world has ever seen – have been rightly praised for his or her astonishing achievement, the contribution made by China to the event was monumental. The continental champions of Asia stood toe-to-toe all through, totally deserving their common time draw towards the mighty Dutch in a gripping match.
Due to the tactical brilliance of Annan – an all-time nice participant who guided the Netherlands girls to the Olympic title at Tokyo 2020 – China are as soon as once more a world pressure, with their efficiency in Paris matching the silver medal they gained at Beijing 2008, their dwelling Olympic Video games. They earned the respect of the world, evidenced by the unbelievable reception they acquired from plenty of Dutch supporting followers at Yves-du-Manoir and the questions that Annan and staff captain Ou Zixia confronted within the press convention.
“The technique right this moment was to attain early”, mentioned Annan, when requested a few recreation plan that was executed to close perfection. “We wished to place quite a lot of strain on their defence. I believe we did that. We began doing that, and we did that very properly at first.
“It’s a must to transfer the ball round towards the Netherlands. Tactically, we wished to play one-on-one to remove a number of of their gamers. I believe we did that fairly properly. (There have been) a number of issues we may have performed higher that we talked about earlier than the sport, eliminating sure passes.
“One of many greatest issues we wished to do, and knew we needed to do right this moment, was to work arduous and defend properly. And our staff did that extraordinarily properly.”
Whereas Annan made clear her intentions to take a well-deserved relaxation following China’s silver medal profitable show at Paris 2024, the Hockeyroos legend and two-time FIH Participant of the Yr was usually sincere when requested in regards to the staff’s ambitions for 2028 Olympic Video games in Los Angeles.
“(We’ve got to goal for) gold in LA. We are able to solely lookup. We’ve got performed extraordinarily properly, in a brief time period now we have medalled. We’ve got to lookup and above from the place we at the moment are. We’ve got gone from No.14 on the earth to No.6 in a short while, a 12 months and a half, however now we have to maintain pursuing a better podium.”
With the dream of profitable Olympic gold at LA being 4 years away, each Annan and staff captain Ou are hopeful that profitable silver at Paris 2024 can have a optimistic impression on hockey in China. After matching their greatest ever Olympic efficiency, the highlight is shining brightly on each the game and the gamers within the nationwide staff.
“I hope with this medal and the standing of our gamers now in China, there shall be extra individuals taking part in hockey in China, and we can arrange some kind of membership system in China”, mentioned Annan. “It’s all about amenities, and the variety of individuals taking part in.”
It was a sentiment echoed by staff captain Ou Zixia, saying: “I imagine that profitable the silver medal will imply that hockey will grow to be extra fashionable, and other people shall be extra conscious of hockey. I additionally hope that our love of the game will even impression the youth, in order that they are going to be occupied with taking part in hockey.”
No matter what occurs subsequent, Annan and her gamers will keep in mind what they achieved at Paris 2024 for the remainder of their lives.