Kookaburras Claim Chapions Trophy Success
The Kookaburras have won the Champions Trophy in England following a dramatic penalty shootout win over India following a scoreless draw in the final.
Undefeated en route to the gold medal match, Australia risked stumbling at the final hurdle when it failed to capitalise on a series of chances created against India, leaving the trophy to be decided by a sudden death shootout.
WAIS scholarship athlete and Kookaburras’ goalkeeper Tyler Lovell played a star role in securing the title for Australia, conceding just one goal in the shootout, whilst fellow Western Australian Aran Zalewski converted the Kookaburras’ first strike as they went on to wrap up a 3-1 win.
Head coach Graham Reid suggested the result was a relief for the side, particularly after they had failed to score in regular time.
“Happy with the result as far as us winning, but disappointed with the fact that we didn’t win it in normal time,” he said.
“We created a lot of opportunities but we couldn’t put them away.”
Reid also said his team’s discipline had put it at risk in critical moments.
“We gave away too many cards and it’s very hard to play hockey with nine or ten men. There’s a lot of work to do before Rio, so that’s what we will be concentrating on in the coming weeks.”
Lovell and Zalewski were joined in victory by fellow WAIS scholarship athlete Trent Mitton.
The final squad for the 2016 Olympic Games will be announced next month.