Kookaburras continue dominance with 5-2 win over defending champions Argentina

Not even defending champions Argentina have been able to dent the Kookaburras charge in Tokyo, with Australia taking a 5-2 victory in their third pool match.

Argentina scored in the first three minutes with a penalty corner and then withstood an onslaught from Argentina and added a goal of their own to end the first quarter tied 1-1.

The Kookaburras returned to their best in the second quarter with three goals in rapid succession the first coming from the stick of WA’s Tom Wickham to finish the first half 4-1.

Both teams would add a goal each, though the Kookaburras remained in control and never looked challenged in the second half.

“This was certainly a different game and we expected that,” said Head Coach Colin Batch.

“Argentina are a slightly different style, they started very well, so for the third game in a row we were under some early pressure.

“This is something we need to correct, but once we got back into the game with our possession, it was very good.

“The second quarter was really good and that was the break we needed.

“This is a long tournament, and we are not even halfway through; there is still a lot of hockey in front of us.”

Australia remain at the top of pool A with three straight wins. The Kookaburras have two Pool matches to play against New Zealand and Spain and return to the field on Wednesday at 6:15PM Perth time