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Australia’s women’s goalball team produced a stoic performance against a powerful China side in their second game at Tokyo 2020, eventually succumbing after being right in the hunt until after half time at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo on Friday.
The Belles trailed 1-0 at the main break before the three-time Paralympic silver medallists gained the upper hand through a series of late goals to run out 6-0 winners.
It was a much-improved performance by the Australians, who defended well and came close to scoring several times, including twice when cross-court balls by Brodie Smith hit the post.
“Australians are resilient,” Smith said.
“Even though we’ve had two losses so far, that by no means is going to affect our spirit. It’s just going to make us come back harder and stronger as we go into our next fight.”
China used only three players for the whole match, whereas Belles coach Peter Corr rotated his squad as he searched for a way to get through China’s solid defence. It meant 2019 Youth World Championships silver medallist Amy Ridley received her first call-up to the court at the Paralympics.
“It was absolutely amazing,” Ridley said.
“I’ve been struggling to know what emotion I’d feel over the last few days and I thought when I went on court I’d be really nervous. But I just was so excited!
“It was so strange. I thought ‘Oh my gosh, I’m playing the actual China women’s team in my first [senior] women’s game ever, overseas in Japan at the Paralympics’. It was crazy.”
Asked what it felt like to be part of a team featuring Meica Horsburgh, Jenny Blow and Tyan Taylor – each competing at their third Games – Ridley said: “They’re so dedicated and they’re so inspirational and I’ve been looking up to them for as long as I’ve been playing goalball. To actually be part of their group is really cool.”
The Belles’ next assignment is Canada, on Saturday morning at 10am AEST.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 27 August 2021
