Late gamble backfires as Hockeyroos score crucial win, set for Olympic quarter-final against China

The Hockeyroos are set for a quarter-final against China on Monday after topping Pool B thanks to a last minute goal against Spain.

Down 2-1, Spain gambled in search of a late equaliser by replacing their goalkeeper with a field player with two minutes to play.

It backfired as Hockeyroos captain Kaitlin Nobbs scored for a 3-1 victory that meant they jumped Argentina on goal difference.

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They will play China in the quarter-finals unless China lose to France by 13 goals or more in their final Pool A game which starts at 1am AEST on Sunday.

Australia will enter the knockout phase full of confidence after racking up 13 points from four wins and a draw in pool play.

Alice Arnott continued her breakout tournament with a goal in the second minute after some fine buildup play from Mariah Williams at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes.

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And the second goal was a beauty as Stephanie Kershaw got the perfect deflected touch to a well rehearsed set play.

Finishing top of their pool was important for the Hockeyroos as it means they would avoid the Netherlands until the gold medal match, should both teams make it that far.

The Dutch are hot favourites and won all five pool games with a goal differential of +14.