Record Breaking Win as Kookaburras Lift Champions Trophy
The Kookaburras have reconfirmed their status as the best hockey team in the world after defeating England 4-0 in the final of the 2010 Champions Trophy in Germany.
The win gives the Kookaburras a record 11th Champions Trophy title and their third in a row, a feat only achieved once before in Australia’s history. AIS-WAIS athletes Fergus Kavanagh and Graeme Begbie both featured in every match throughout the tournament, forming a crucial part of Australia’s defence.
In a demonstration of the healthy state of Australian hockey, the victory means the Kookaburras have won every major tournament (2009 Champions Trophy, 2010 World Cup, 2010 Champions Trophy) since highly regarded coach Ric Charlesworth took over in January 2009.
Despite having the most inexperienced team at the tournament, the Kookaburras showed no signs of nervousness in the opening stages of the match, completely catching England off guard in what was their first ever Champions Trophy final.
With all the play in Australia’s half, it was only a matter of time before they scored their first goal, coming from veteran Luke Doerner from Australia’s first penalty corner attempt in the fifth minute.
Showing no signs of complacency the Kookaburras continued to apply pressure to England in their defensive half, with Des Abbott once again demonstrating why he is one of the best strikers in the world by delivering a powerful shot on goal which gave the goalkeeper no chance to see the Kookaburras take a 2-0 lead.
With the momentum well and truly in their favour the Kookaburras continued to push, with England seemingly unable to work the ball into their forward zone.
When Jason Wilson scored Australia’s third goal at only the 13 minute mark, the Kookaburras had made the perfect start and set up what seemed to be an unbeatable lead even though so much time remained in the match.
To England’s credit they worked their way into the game as the half progressed, eventually finding their system and looking dangerous around goal at times.
While the Kookaburras were unstoppable near goals, the same could also be said at the defensive end with goalkeeper Nathan Burgers making a number of great saves, particularly from three penalty corner attempts in a row in the dying stages of the first half.
Due to a heavy downpour a rain delay of almost an hour stopped the second half from beginning, however when play commenced the Kookaburras continued their good form and almost scored immediately after a pass from Jamie Dwyer found Abbott on the goal line. However Abbott was unable to connect with the ball and let England off the hook.
Australia’s persistence was eventually rewarded when three time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer received the ball in the circle before sending his shot at pace past the goalkeeper for Australia’s fourth goal and the sealer.
In an encouraging sign for the Kookaburras the win comes despite a number of key veterans such as Rob Hammond, Liam de Young, Kiel Brown, Mark Knowles and Grant Schubert all remaining in Australia and not competing in this tournament.
Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth deliberately selected a young squad to compete at the 2010 Champions Trophy in order to give them first hand experience against quality opposition, with many of these young players including Jason Wilson, Joel Carroll, Matthew Swann and Mark Paterson stepping up and showing they can play at the top level.
While the victory gives further credibility to Australia’s number 1 world ranking, it also provides a timely confidence boost ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, with England expected to be one of the Kookaburras toughest competition in India.
Jamie Dwyer was named player of the tournament while young striker Jason Wilson was named most promising player after scoring four goals.
– Hockey Australia
