Kookaburras Record Narrow Win Over New Zealand
Hockey: Australia 2 v 1 New Zealand – Day 1
Athlete: Fergus Kavanagh, Aran Zalewski
Venue: Olympic Hockey Stadium
Australia’s men’s hockey team began their Olympic campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand on day one in Rio.
Goals from Chris Ciriello and Matt Gohdes put the Australian men two goals up at half time before James Coughlan halved the deficit within 60 seconds of the start of the third quarter.
Both sides enjoyed plenty of opportunities to add to their tally and it might have been a very different story had Australia not successfully appealled a New Zealand ‘equaliser’ five minutes from full time.
Australia enjoyed much the best of the first half, winning four penalty corners. And it was from one such set piece – their third – that Chris Ciriello gave Australia the lead. Blake Govers’ spin pass left bought Ciriello the time to pick his spot and his low flick went in off a New Zealand defender.
New Zealand had their moments with Andrew Charter called upon to make a save on the stroke of quarter time and Matt Gohdes’ diving tackle preventing a further shot immediately after the restart.
After Jamie Dwyer picked the pocket of a New Zealand defender in the 23rd minute, Australia had their second goal. Cutting along the baseline, Dwyer drew Kiwi goalkeeper Devon Manchester before slipping the ball to cousin Matt Gohdes, who directed the ball home for 2-0.
New Zealand pulled one back less than one minute after the third quarter restart when a long aerial pass caught out the Australian defence. Hugo Inglis evaded the onrushing Charter and his cross-shot was turned in by James Coughlan at the front post.
The fourth period belonged to New Zealand, who aside from the disallowed goal – deemed dangerous as a cross from Hayden Phillips was turned in by Hugo Inglis, had a shot from Phillips saved by Charter and were just centimetres from a certain goal when Nick Wilson’s cutback just evaded Shay Neal.
Lawrence West
olympics.com.au