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Paris Olympics: China tipped for bigger things in hockey after ‘incredible’ team’s silver

  • Coach Alyson Annan hails ‘amazing sporting culture’ in China after her team come close to upset against world No 1 Netherlands in final

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China’s players are applauded after their narrow loss in the gold medal match in Paris. Photo: Xinhua

China coach Alyson Annan paid tribute to the country’s “amazing sporting culture” after its women’s hockey team came within a whisker of upsetting the Netherlands in the Olympic final.

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Annan’s side led the world’s No 1 team for 45 minutes, following Chen Yi’s sixth-minute strike, but were pegged back by Yibbi Jansen’s pile-driving equaliser. When the match finished 1-1, the Netherlands won a shoot-out 3-1 to claim their fourth Olympic title in five Games.

Afterwards, Annan said she was “extremely proud” of her players and saw potential for them to build on their silver medal in Paris.

“I think China is a force in sport, and has an amazing sporting culture,” she said. “These athletes are incredible, they’re devoted and they work hard.

China beat higher-ranked Australia and Belgium en route to the Paris podium. Photo: AFP
China beat higher-ranked Australia and Belgium en route to the Paris podium. Photo: AFP

“Just giving them a bit of confidence makes them great, so I hope that out of this comes something more.”

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