WAIS Athletes Amongst the Goals for Kookaburras

The Kookaburras have continued their good form in the second game of their month long tour of Europe, scoring three second half goals to defeat Spain 3-0 in Terrassa, Spain.

The win is particularly satisfying for the Kookaburras given how young the current team is with so many key players sidelined through injury.

After a fairly even first half when neither team was able to score, the Kookaburras demonstrated exactly why they are the number one team in the world, dominating the second half.

AIS-WAIS scholarship holder Trent Mitton opened the scoring for the Kookaburras in the 55th minute, tipping the ball in after a firm reverse shot from Simon Orchard.

The Kookaburras capitalised to score twice more in quick succession, with goals to Glenn Turner and Eddie Ockenden putting the game beyond doubt.

Best players for Australia included Matthew Swann, Simon Orchard, Eddie Ockenden and AIS-WAIS athlete Fergus Kavanagh.

The team will now travel to Germany to compete in a four nations tournament.

Earlier:

The Kookaburras begun their European tour with a come from behind 3-2 win over Spain, but have suffered another long term injury to a key player.

Kookaburras co-captain and 2004 Athens Olympic gold medallist Mark Knowles injured his foot during the match and will reportedly be sidelined for between two-three months.

Knowles joins the long list of key players who are injured including Jamie Dwyer, Des Abbott, Grant Schubert, AIS-WAIS athlete Graeme Begbie, Liam De Young, Rob Hammond, Luke Doerner, Tim Deavin and Kieran Govers.

While the Kookaburras will be disappointed to lose another player, they will be pleased with their performance against Spain and their ability to come back from a 2-0 deficit early in the first half.

After scoring five minutes before the break to reduce the margin to 2-1 at half-time, the Kookaburras controlled the game from the re-start, scoring the next two unanswered goals to commence their European tour on a positive note.

AIS-WAIS athletes contributed positively to the score sheet, with scholarship holder Brent Dancer and Jonathan Charlesworth both finding the net, before Matthew Butturini scored the sealer.

-Hockey Australia