Kookaburras Take Bronze in Azlan Shah Cup

The Kookaburras have finished third at the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, defeating Malaysia 5-3 overnight in the bronze medal match.

Australia were awarded a penalty corner as early as the second minute but the Malaysian goalkeeper was up to the task, palming away the attempt by Ian Burcher.

The Kookaburras continued to attack early and in the 10th minute, Mohd Madzli Ikmar made a disastrous pass across the Australian semi circle which was picked up by WAIS athlete Trent Mitton. However despite having time on his side, the shot from Mitton was rushed, denying the Kookaburras their first goal.

Malaysia made the Kookaburras pay for their lack of conversion, scoring at the 14 minute mark to go up 1-0.

Despite having four penalty corner attempts in the first half it took until the 34 minute mark for the Kookaburras to score their opening goal thanks to a field goal to Matthew Swann.

The Kookaburras continued their momentum after half time to score the first goal of the second half at the 43 minute mark via a Russell Ford reverse stick shoot.

Mohd Amin Rahim made full use of Malaysia’s first penalty corner in the 48th minute to make it 2-2, but the Kookaburras quickly regained the lead when Kieran Govers scored a well worked penalty corner in the 50th minute.

Two more goals within ten minutes established an unbeatable lead for the Kookaburras, with a goal in the last minute to Malaysia seeing Australia record a 5-3 victory.

– Hockey Australia