Hockeyroos and Kookaburras Head West in Winning Form
The Hockeyroos have continued their strong start to the 2019 FIH Hockey Pro League with wins over China and Germany whilst the Kookaburras have recorded their first win of the campaign with victory over Germany in Hobart.
Both Australian teams will head back to Perth this weekend for matches with Great Britain in full confidence after securing victories in a hard fought weekend of international fixtures.
Having split their fixtures against the Netherlands and Belgium in their opening matches of Pro League in Melbourne last weekend, the Hockeyroos managed to notch another victory first up in Tasmania, with an exciting 4-3 win over China.
Goals to Player of the Match Mariah Williams, Rosie Malone, Grace Stewart and Savannah Fitzpatrick were enough to secure Australia’s second victory for the tournament in front of an enthusiastic Hobart crowd.
They were back in action on Sunday, needing a penalty shootout to take the points against a gallant Germany outfit.
Rachael Lynch and Grace Stewart were amongst the best for Australia but it was Victorian newcomer Sophie Taylor who earned Player of the Match honours after scoring her first international goal.
Goals to Taylor and Stewart weren’t enough to secure a Hockeyroos victory in regular time as the Australians couldn’t find an answer for Hanna Granitzki who scored twice off penalty corners.
Eddie Bone, Brooke Peris and Mariah Williams were the goal scorers for Australia in the shootout whilst Germany’s only goal came through Nike Lorenz.
Lynch was spectacular in the shootout defending three of the four shots that came her way.
The win leaves the Hockeyroos second in the FIH Pro League standings with two wins, one shootout win and a loss to their name, having beaten China PR 4-3 on Saturday.
Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said: “We’re pleased with the determination of the girls after playing yesterday.
“We wanted to play a little bit better but there’s lots to learn from that game.”
The Kookaburras have secured their first win of the FIH Pro League, defeating Germany 4-2 in front of a bumper crowd in Hobart on Sunday.
Jacob Anderson was the standout all day long, nailing two first-half goals and being awarded Player of the Match.
Led by Tasmanian Eddie Ockenden, Australia was able to break away from Germany after a 2-2 first half, finding two much-needed goals through Tom Wickham and Dylan Wotherspoon.
The victory pushes Australia to fourth in the FIH Pro League standings where they sit behind Belgium, Netherlands and Great Britain whom they host in Perth next week.
Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said: “We faced two good sides last week, so we needed to improve and we prepared well. I’m really pleased with the win.”
Information on tickets for the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras matches against Great Britain in Perth next weekend can be viewed here.
-with HockeyAus