Australia’s netball team has slumped to a shock defeat in a mega blow to its Commonwealth Games campaign, falling to Jamaica in a heart-stopping pool match.
Jamaica trailed by six goals at one point in the match, before fighting back in the final quarter to snare a 57-55 win.
EXCLUSIVE: Buddy’s shock AFL suitor as secret meeting revealed
READMORE: Australian boxing legend dead at 77
READMORE: Betts demands apology over Crows camp
Never before had Jamaica beaten Australia in netball at the Commonwealth Games.
Jamaica were led by superstar goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who scored 14 of her 47 goals in the final quarter, including five straight to turn a 48-45 deficit into a 49-48 lead.
“It’s surreal, we’ve not beaten Australia at a Commonwealth Games and to come here and do it with an incredible team, just go out there and prove everyone wrong was really good,” Fowler said.
“Most definitely it does mean more (to beat Australia). Why do we go down from here? It’s only up from here.
“Australia is No.1 and if we beat the No.1 team that means we can do anything.
“We want to go home with either a gold or a silver medal, but we’re going for the gold, that’s always been our focus.”
Jamaica celebrated the win with a team dance on court after the game, Fowler saying “It’s what makes us feel vibrant and happy so we do it.”
The victory secured the top of pool A for Jamaica ahead of the Diamonds, who will meet either England or New Zealand in the semi-finals.
“We probably let ourselves down with some execution stuff in that last quarter,” Australia center Kate Moloney said.
“Up until three-quarter time, up by six goals – credit to Jamaica but we probably should have been able to run that one out.
“When they’ve got weapons like they do… you never really have it.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
