Kookaburras Earn Tokyo Qualification

The Kookaburras have secured
their spot for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after defeating New Zealand 3-0 on
Sunday to win the Oceania Cup in Rockhampton.

 

With a three-match series presenting a winner takes all scenario, the
Kookaburras backed up their opening win from Thursday with a 2-2 draw on Saturday
before securing qualification with Sunday’s result.

 

Two penalty corner goals to Blake Govers and an
opening strike from Tim Brand sealed the trophy for the Australians – who avoided
the banana skin process that now awaits the Hockeyroos after they split their
series with New Zealand 1-1 and lost out on goal difference.

 

The title seals a successful 2019 for the
Kookaburras, who earlier in the year won the inaugural FIH Pro League which replaced
the Champions Trophy format.

 

The men’s team are set to enter Tokyo as world
number one, however they have also been pre-Olympic favourites ahead of London
2012 and Rio 2016 so they will not be taking any opponent lightly between now
and then.

 

 

As it currently stands, the Kookaburras have
only once claimed Olympic gold, which came in Athens in 2004 when a Jamie Dwyer
goal in extra-time secured a memorable win for Australia.

 

A late goal to the Kiwis earned them a 1-1
draw on Sunday which saw them claim their three-match series with the Hockeyroos.

 

The Hockeyroos will now need to go through a separate
qualification process to make their path to Tokyo, but the Australian women
will be on the right side of history to achieve that goal.