Australia Ready for Knockout Phase of Pro League
The finalists of the FIH Pro League have been decided, with the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos both aiming for Grand Final qualification in the Netherlands this weekend.
Up first will be the Hockeyroos, who finished the Pro League home & away matches in third place with 30 points from their 16 matches.
They will face second-placed Argentina – a team that defeated them in regulation time (1-0 at Sydney in March) and in a shootout (3-1 after a 1-1 draw at Buenos Aires in May).
On the back of two consecutive losses to Belgium and the Netherlands in the lead up to the finals, the Hockeyroos will have to reverse their current form if they are to make the Grand Final.
Meanwhile, the Kookaburras finished the Pro League at the top of the table, with 32 points from their 14 matches.
Their semi-final opponent will be Great Britain, who snatched fourth place away from Germany in the last match after a 2-0 home victory against New Zealand.
In the two matches between the teams, Australia won the first (2-0 at Perth in February), but were beaten in a shootout in the second (4-3 after a 2-2 draw at London).
After a shaky start to their European series of matches, the Kookaburras have won their last three matches against Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands to hit the finals in good form.
Kookaburras coach Colin Batch explained what he felt would be the key to victory over Great Britain.
“While our penalty corners were the key in winning our last match [against the Netherlands], I believe it will be our defending of the set pieces that will be the key to winning the semi-final,” he said.
“I’m confident that we can reach another level to win in what will be a tough match – we do know Great Britain well, having played them regularly over the past eighteen months.”
Both matches will be televised live on Kayo Sports and FOX SPORTS. The Hockeyroos match is on Friday morning (Fox Sports 507 – 1:15am AEST) and the Kookaburras on Saturday morning (Fox Sports 506 – 1:15am AEST).
-HockeyAus