Mixed Start for Aussies at International Festival of Hockey

The International Festival of Hockey kicked off at Melbourne’s State Netball and Hockey Centre this week with the Hockeyroos taking part in a three-game test series against India and the Kookaburras set for a four nations competition with India, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

The Kookaburras came away with a 3 – 2 win over India, while the Hockeyroos were defeated by India 1 – 0.

The Hockeyroos took on India first and quarter one saw both teams pressing without any luck converting pressure into goals.

India broke the deadlock on 21 minutes after Rani scored from a penalty corner leaving the Hockeyroos to chase the game after the half-time break.

The Hockeyroos came back on the attack, which resulted in some excellent hockey with Australia retaining possession for most of the third quarter.

The Hockeyroos almost had a chance to level in the 40th minute after Laura Barden raced onto a free ball and passed to Murphy Allendorf in the circle, but the shot on goal went just high of the net.

Ashlee Wells made a fantastic save when India tried to double their lead with two minutes to go in the quarter, and with only a minute to go the Hockeyroos had another chance to fight back with a penalty corner opportunity, but it was met by a great save from keeper Rajani Etimarpu.

With 17 seconds to go the girls had one more chance, but they just couldn’t make the shot and they went into the final quarter trailing 1 – 0. The final quarter saw much of the same however and the Hockeyroos couldn’t pull it together going down to India in the opening match of the series.

Hockeyroos interim head coach Jason Duff said: “It was a really disappointing performance in the sense that we missed the start of the game. It was dis-jointed, we lacked composure and energy, and India were much more enterprising than we were.

“They shifted the ball well, and they penetrated well, not that they had a lot of opportunity in the first half, but the game was gone because we didn’t move the ball well. They were first to the ball most of the time, and at this level if you let them get first to the ball then they’ll beat you.”

The Kookaburras were next up against the India men, with the first quarter a fast-paced affair.

India forced a series of penalty corners in the second quarter which saw Kookaburras keeper Tristan Clemons produce two saves, before he was beaten on the third. Rupinder Pal Singh, mirroring the 21st minute goal from the India women’s team earlier in the day.

In the 24th minute of play, Australia was up for a penalty corner and after an injection by Daniel Beale, Jeremy Hayward socked the ball into the top right corner of the net to level the score.

Thirty-six minutes into the game, and Hayward put the Kookaburras out in front with his second penalty corner goal of the match. Trent Mitton further extended the lead by flicking a goal in from a penalty corner deflection in the 43rd minute.

India were pressing in the final quarter to claw the game back and their hard work paid off with Rupinder Pal Singh converting a second penalty corner goal with just seven minutes left in the game.

The Kookaburras held firm to take out their first game of the International Festival of Hockey.

Kookaburras interim head coach, Paul Gaudoin said: “It was nice to win today, the Indian team that we played are a very strong team so it was pleasing to come out with a win. Our penalty corner conversion was excellent, coming from the Olympics where it was poor, so that was fantastic. Our skill level was down a little bit but our heart and desire was there and I think that helped us get over the line.”

Earlier in the day, the New Zealand Black Sticks and Malaysia tied at 1 all, with Malaysia taking an early lead thanks to a penalty corner from Shahril Saabah before Jared Panchea tied the score at the 58th minute courtesy of a field goal.

Kathryn Slattery is representing the Hockeyroos, whilst fellow West Aussies; Chris Bausor, Tyler Lovell, Tristan Clemons, Trent Mitton and Aran Zalewski are playing for the Kookaburras.

-HockeyAus