Kookaburras Take Win in Three Nation Tournament

WAIS hockey athletes had a busy weekend with two scholarship holders featuring in the Kookaburras three nation tournament win in Canberra and a host more representing Australia A.

Fergus Kavanagh and Graeme Begbie helped the Kookaburras hold off a determined Malaysian team to record a 1-0 victory in the final of the 3 Nation/ 4 Team series in Canberra.

In what was a complete contrast to their previous encounter in which the Kookaburras won 11-3, the result was a mixed one for the Kookaburras who dominated Malaysia in terms of penalty corners, shots on goal and circle penetrations.

While pleased to get the win, and to also deny any penalty corners for Malaysia, the fact that only one goal was converted from 13 penalty corners will no doubt be addressed ahead of the 2010 World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand in late August.

The Kookaburras started the match well, recording four penalty corners within the first 15 minutes, with another shot on goal from Mark Knowles going agonisingly close.

However it was not until the 24 minute mark until the Kookaburras recorded their first and only goal of the match, a penalty corner converted by up and comer Chris Ciriello.

When the Kookaburras recorded two more penalty corners in the first six minutes of the second half it appeared only a matter of time before they would score again.

However to the credit of the Malaysian defence the second goal never eventuated.

Malaysia remained under siege throughout the second half conceding 17 circle penetrations and 10 shots of goal.

Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth paid particular attention to his teams disappointing penalty corner conversion rate after the game.

“The conversion rate was appalling. They were good in defence but it is something we need to pay some attention to,” said Charlesworth.

Earlier in the competition, the Kookaburras earned bragging rights over the Australia A side that contained WAIS athletes Ross Meadows, Brett Dancer, Jonathon Charlesworth and Kiel Brown.

The Kookaburras piled on six second half goals to record a convincing 8-2 victory over Australia A which set up the team for their final appearance with Malaysia.

In a match up that would have pleased Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth, with Australia’s best hockey players on display, Des Abbott showed why he is such a highly regarded player, scoring two impressive goals.

His first goal came at the seven minute mark against the run of play, controlling an overhead pass and then volleying the ball over the goalkeeper to the amazement of the Canberra crowd.

Two time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer produced his own magic moment at the 30 minute mark, scoring the Kookaburras’ second goal after he deflected the ball through his own feet.

Despite the Australia A side holding their own against the more experienced Kookaburras, the execution of the Kookaburras in front of goal was the difference in the second half.

Veteran striker Grant Schubert started the second half in fine form, scoring only two minutes after half time.

Mark Paterson and Simon Orchard scored two more goals to set up a commanding lead for the Kookaburras before Luke Doerner converted Australia A’s first goal of the match from a penalty corner at the 55 minute mark.

A second goal only minutes later to Mark Paterson put an end to any momentum for Australia A, with goals to Glenn Turner and Rob Hammond for Australia A and the Kookaburras respectively finishing off the match.

Australia A took revenge in its next match against Canada earning a strong 4-1 win in Canberra.

Several players put their hand up for future Kookaburras selection after Australia A produced a clinical display in the Nation’s capital.

Eager to impress Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth who watched from the grandstand, Australia A started the match well and it appeared only a matter of time before they would break through the Canadian defence.

Striker Jason Wilson provided the first goal of the match at the nine minute mark.

The pace of the Australia A side proved more beneficial as the half continued, with Australia A beating Canada to every loose ball and contest throughout the midfield.

The Australia A defence was also operating well, with Tim Deavin producing an impressive run through the midfield while captain and WAIS scholarship holder Kiel Brown set up several forward movements.

Home town favourite Glenn Turner continued his good form at this tournament, scoring Australia A’s second goal at the 34 minute mark to establish a comfortable two goal lead at half time.

Picking up the second half were the first half ended, Turner was in the thick of the action again, scoring only one minute after half time.

A goal at the 58 minute mark via a penalty corner conversion was a good reward for Canada who continued to work hard despite trailing poorly on the scoreboard.

Unfortunately for the visitors this goal was quickly matched by a penalty stroke to Jason Wilson, his second goal of the game, to seal the victory for Australia A.

– with Hockey Australia