Alyson Annan is taking part in down the fascinating teaching sub-plot because the Hockeyroos legend seems to be to mastermind an upset win for China over Australia on Friday evening.
Annan has joined forces with former mentor Ric Charlesworth to kind a training dream staff for the Chinese language, who face the Hockeyroos within the opening match of the Professional League mini match in Sydney.
In fairly the twist, Annan’s twin gold medal-winning teammate from the 1996 and 2000 Olympics in Atlanta and Sydney, iconic striker Katrina Powell, is teaching the Hockeyroos.
Either side are considerably rebuilding forward of subsequent 12 months’s Paris Olympics, with Powell brazenly admitting she’s utilizing the Professional League collection to attempt to decide on a squad that may problem for Video games glory in 2024.
Australia’s ladies’s hockey stars have not received an Olympic medal of any coloration since that memorable September afternoon nearly 23 years in the past on the similar venue as Friday evening’s showdown.
Powell should pare down 29 contenders right into a squad of 16 plus two alternates for Paris – assuming the third-ranked Hockeyroos qualify later this 12 months.
However Annan is extra involved about reworking her new-era Chinese language outfit into Olympic dreamers themselves.
“It is not between ‘Trinny’ and I as coaches. It is between two groups which are excellent,” Annan advised AAP.
“We’re No.10 on the earth. They’re No.three on the earth so now we have to be lifelike about that and I do not assume it is a battle between two (former) roommates from 20 years in the past.
“It is a battle between two groups which are rising and are studying and are taking part in some good hockey.
“In opposition to each staff, not simply in opposition to Australia, now we have to give you an excellent tactical plan.
“However we’ll be taking part in our recreation. We cannot be trying on the opposition.
“We have just lately chosen a brand new group of women. We have got a younger group – common age of 23, which is kind of good – who shall be taking part in for the primary time worldwide hockey.
“So for us it is about progress and studying and I do not know that Australia are in a distinct section. I believe they’re in the identical section.”
The Chinese language have opened the test guide massive time to lure Charlesworth in addition to Annan, who has discovered it tough to drag rank on her legendary ex-coach.
“The roles have modified. He was my coach and I used to only nod and say sure and now I am the top coach and he is the assistant,” Annan stated.
“So typically now we have some heavy discussions, which is a studying expertise for me in itself, as a result of I’ve by no means stated no to Ric.
“However he is a really educated man and somebody I can be taught from.”
The Hockeyroos claimed a bronze medal ultimately 12 months’s World Cup in Europe, then snared silver on the Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham of their most up-to-date match.
However Powell is hungry for extra, saying the Hockeyroos must bridge the hole on heavyweights Argentina and The Netherlands to return to difficult for Olympic glory.
“Australians do count on that – that any sporting staff in Australia is pushing for and aiming to attain an Olympic gold medal,” she stated.
“That is definitely our purpose. That additionally comes from the legacy of the Hockeyroos and the title of the model.
“So we’re joyful to tackle that legacy and, I suppose, very best in Australia that we’re at all times aiming to be the most effective that we may be and hopefully that sees us on the rostrum.”
