WAGGA’S own Australian hero Jade Close had her dream of Olympic glory crushed when the Hockeyroos played a heart-breaking draw with Argentina.
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With a victory the only way the team could progress to the Olympic semi-finals, a 0-0 draw with Argentina left the Hockeysroos tantalisingly short on Tuesday night.
The result left Australia third behind Argentina and New Zealand in Pool B and forces the Hockeyroos into a fifth versus sixth classification match on Friday to end their Olympic campaign.
The Hockeyroos’ best chance of scoring in the crucial match came after just three minutes when striker Megan Rivers forced an impressive save from Argentine keeper Florencia Mutio.
From then on Argentina, who needed only a draw to qualify as the top team in Pool B, was content to play a counter-attacking style and the Hockeyroos couldn’t find a way through.
Argentina will play Great Britain in today’s semi-finals, with New Zealand taking on the Dutch in the other semi.
The Hockeyroos’ shock loss will be felt throughout Wagga, with the wider community throwing its support behind the Olympic debutant.
Despite currently residing in Sydney, Jade has maintained close ties with Wagga throughout her Olympic campaign and forged a special friendship with Kooringal Public School pupils.
Throughout her stay at the Olympic Village, Jade has stayed in contact with KPS pupils via emails and blogs – giving them a taste of life in London.
Jade is a relative newcomer to the Hockeyroos.
After representing Australia at under 18s and under 23s level, Jade finally broke into the senior Australian ranks in 2010.
After just six appearances she was added to the National Women's Squad in 2011.