Kookaburras Warm up for World League with GB Win
An Aran Zalewski field goal has helped the Kookaburras avenge their earlier defeat to Great Britain, as the Australians finalised their World League preparations with an emphatic 6-1 win at Bisham Abbey.
The Kookaburras begin their campaign for Rio Olympic qualification at the World League Semi Finals in Belgium this Saturday and ensured their mission would commence in full confidence by virtue of a dominant five goal win over their hosts.
The Australians whom last Saturday, suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat to Great Britain, put in a far more assured performance on Monday, that suggested the earlier performance was influenced by travel and rustiness, as Chris Ciriello and Simon Orchard put the visitors out to a 2-0 half time lead.
Blake Govers extended that margin shortly after the break, before Great Britain scored their sole consolation through a Chris Griffiths field goal on 40 minutes.
Australian games record holder Jamie Dwyer scored the Kookaburras’ fifth, before WAIS athlete Aran Zalewski rounded out the performance with a sixth, in the 54th minute.
Coach Graham Reid said the result was a pleasing response to a subdued first up performance and identified the Australians’ effort and intensity as the catalyst for their improved performance.
“It was a much better performance by the team tonight, they played with a lot more tone and energy which was pleasing to see. Coming away from Saturday, we needed to be tighter as a team and put more pressure on our opponents, which was an improvement against Great Britain tonight.”
The Australians begin their World League tournament with a match at midnight Sunday morning Perth time (June 21) against France.
The Kookaburras can secure qualification for the men’s hockey draw at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games by finishing in the top three nations of the ten team format at the World League Semi Finals in Belgium.
Zalewski is joined in the Kookaburras squad by fellow WAIS athletes Fergus Kavanagh, Kiel Brown and Tyler Lovell.