Mixed Results for Kookaburras and Hockeyroos
The Kookaburras have gained qualification for next year’s hockey world cup after defeating New Zealand in the Oceania Cup final, but the Hockeyroos face the prospect of missing out after going down in a penalty shoot-out in their final.
The Kookaburras booked their spot at the Hero Honda FIH 2010 World Cup by defeating New Zealand 3-1 at Invercargill, New Zealand to win the Oceania Cup.
After watching the Hockeyroos go down to New Zealand earlier in the day for the women’s division of the Oceania Cup, the Kookaburras were determined to begin the match well.
Unfortunately New Zealand had plans of their own, with Nick Wilson scoring the first goal of the match after a nice breakaway.
Veteran Olympic gold medallist Grant Schubert provided the spark needed for the Kookaburras, scoring two first half goals, the second coming just moments before half time.
Continuing their momentum, the Kookaburras controlled the tempo after half time, but were unable to make the most of their various opportunities and further extend their one goal lead.
With this New Zealand continued to grow in confidence as they remained within striking distance.
A sustained period of New Zealand possession followed but the Black Sticks were unable to peg back the much needed goal.
With just over a minute to play New Zealand forced their first penalty corner of the match but Hayden Shaw’s drag flick attempt was wide of the left post.
Jamie Dwyer hammered the final nail into New Zealand’s coffin in the final play of the match, a cracking shot from a penalty corner.
The Kookaburras will now plan their program towards the 2010 World Cup which will be played in New Delhi, India from February 28 – March 13, 2010.
However their focus for the remainder of the year will be towards the ABN AMRO Hockey Champions Trophy which will be played in Melbourne from November 28 – December 6.
There was disappointment for the WAIS trio of Kim Walker, Hope Munro and Ashleigh Nelson who saw direct qualification to next year’s world cu snatched away after a gripping penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw.
The team will now have to qualify via a separate tournament which is yet to be announced by the FIH.
The loss was extremely disappointing for the Hockeyroos, particularly considering they held a 2-0 lead in the early stages of the second half.
However, after the Hockeyroos were unable to make the most of their chances, New Zealand fought back, eventually forcing the match to extra time before prevailing 4-3 on penalty strokes.
New Zealand began the match confidently, however it seemed only a mater of time before the Hockeyroos would score the first goal of the match after generating eight penalty corner attempts.
Eventually the Hockeyroos were able to get some reward for their work, with Casey Eastham scoring from a direct strike rebound.
Only 11 minutes into the second half the Hockeyroos found themselves 2-0 and seemingly on their way to victory with Megan Rivers finishing the goal at close range.
Despite holding the lead, the Hockeyroos were made to regret their lack of conversion, with New Zealand much more efficient from their fewer opportunities.
This resulted in a penalty corner goal to Clarissa Eshuis, and all of a sudden the game was back in the balance.
New Zealand, now playing with confidence, continued to take it up to the Hockeyroos, levelling the scores with 13 minutes remaining.
The home side had a great opportunity to go into the lead when their strikers worked well to find Charlotte Harrison free on the right of the circle, but her shot fired to the left of the left post.A miss trap on their third penalty corner thwarted another opportunity with five minutes to play, with all the pressure now on the Hockeyroos.
Despite being a player down in extra time due to Alison Bruce’s tackle on Krystal Forgesson, the Hockeyroos’ defence held together, not conceding a goal and forcing the match to penalty strokes. It would be New Zealand’s day, with the hosts holding their nerve in the shootout for a 4-3 win.
– Hockey Australia