GLASGOW: Australia cruised into the gold medal match of the women’s hockey at the Commonwealth Games on Friday with a 7-1 mauling of South Africa. The hockeyroos will face New Zealand or England in the final on Saturday.

Winners of the gold medal in three of the four competitions since hockey was introduced to the Commonwealth programme, Australia have now scored 32 goals in winning their five games in Glasgow so far.

“I am very satisfied with the performance. Our ability, particularly in the second-half, to finish off our chances was excellent,” said Australia coach Adam Commens.

“This team has come a long way from four years ago when we just battled through and in the end won a gold medal, which was a great achievement. But now we are really smashing sides so it shows the sky is the limit and we can really move on after this tournament.”

South Africa coach Giles Bonnet, meanwhile, lamented his side’s inability to beat New Zealand in their pool earlier in the week which meant facing Australia in the semi-finals.

“Australia are a great team. We knew that from before and we wanted to avoid them,” he said. “We knew the New Zealand game was really important for us. We played well, but unfortunately we didn’t get the result and then you face Australia.

“When you look at the number of scoring chances, their conversation ratio is extremely high, they are very clinical. “After a tight start, Emily Smith put the Aussies in front and Kellie White quickly doubled their lead to send the reigning champions in 2-0 ahead at half-time.

White, Georgina Parker and Jane Claxton made it 5-0 after the break before Australia conceded for the first time in the tournament when Celia Evans turned home a consolation for South Africa.

However, normal service was quickly resumed as Parker slammed home her second of the game before Georgia Nanscawen rounded off the scoring.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2014