Hockeyroos thump Belgium in World League

A 5-1 win over Brussels in Belgium has kept the Hockeyroos in the hunt for the 2018 Hockey World Cup in England.

Georgie Morgan, right.

Georgie Morgan (right), pictured here in 2016, was among the Hockeyroos' scorers against Belgium. (AAP)

The Hockeyroos have thrashed Belgium in Brussels to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next year's Hockey World Cup in England.

The 5-1 thumping means Australia will play off against Italy for fifth spot on Sunday at the World League Semi-Final.

Paul Gaudoin's side didn't take long to trouble the scorers with Kathryn Slattery bagging the opener after four minutes.

The 23-year-old West Australian made a break from the back and nailed her shot past Belgian goalkeeper Aisling D'hooghe.

Madi Fitzpatrick scored the first of two penalty corners in the space of five minutes when she hit home in the 19th, followed by Georgie Morgan.

The Hockeyroos took a 3-0 advantage into halftime. Belgium had their best chance to break through two minutes into the second term but the Australian defence weren't giving up their lead in a hurry and soon after it was Madi Ratcliffe making it 4-0 at the other end.

Louise Versavel pulled one back in the 37th minute but that was as good as it got for the Belgians. Emily Smith added the Hockeyroos' fifth seven minutes from time with an easy tap-in.

"It was pleasing to win, we knew we had to win to still be in the hunt for World Cup qualification, so we were happy that we started well," Gaudoin said.

"There was a good intensity about how we played and that translated onto the scoreboard which was great.

"We probably lost our way a little bit in the second half, but I think we did enough in the first half to ensure that we will play for the fifth place."


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Source: AAP



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