Kookaburras Earn Champions Trophy Win Over Korea

Published On: 13 June 2016

The Kookaburras defeated Korea in their Champions Trophy pool game at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London to record their first win of the tournament following an opening draw with hosts Great Britain.

The Australians scored first when Blake Govers converted a penalty corner routine early in the second quarter, following a goalless first term.

Eddie Ockenden doubled the Kookaburras’ advantage in the third quarter before Kim Juhun halved the deficit just moments later.

Lee Jungjun set up a thrilling finale when he drew Korea level heading into the three quarter time break, when he capitalised on a swift team move to finish well.

With nine minutes remaining, Australia had an opportunity from a penalty corner, which Beale injected and WAIS scholarship athlete Trent Mitton scored, via a deflection off a Chris Ciriello strike.

Sealing victory for Australia, Glenn Turner slammed home a field goal in the final minute of the game to ensure there would be no coming back for Korea.

Kookaburras Head Coach Graham Reid was pleased to get the win, but admitted his side needed to convert more of its opportunities.

“I was happy with the four goals of course. I wasn’t happy with our finishing – we need to get much better at that,” he said.

“Our fourth quarter was better, Korea set us a good challenge. It was two all at three quarter time and then we scored two goals in that last quarter which was a really good effort. I think the boys proved to themselves that we can get out of that kind of situation and they did it well.”

Earlier in the day play was disrupted in the game between Belgium and Germany due to heavy rain, causing a slight delay. The game resumed and resulted in a four all tie between the two teams.

Great Britain and India played a fast paced game, with the visiting team better on the day, defeating the home side 2 – 1.

Mitton is joined in the Kookaburras’ Champions Trophy squad, by fellow WAIS scholarship athletes; Aaron Zalewski and Tyler Lovell.

The Kookaburras will face Germany in Monday’s Champions Trophy action.