HOCKEY: Australia took on Pakistan their third round clash at the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia securing a huge 4-0 victory.
The competition started immediately, with both teams going out hard to become the first to get a goal on the scoreboard. Although the game was fierce in the first quarter, both teams failed to score with the Pakistan defence doing a great job of keeping the Kookaburras' fighting attack at bay.
Going into the second quarter on an even playing field, chances to score were missed by the Australian team until the 24th minute of the game when Blake Govers managed to convert a penalty corner to the scoreboard.
At half time Australia led the Pakistan team 1 – 0. Into the third quarter and some early shots at goal were missed, but Tom Craig brought it back for Australia in the 41st minute with a field goal. Just one minute later, and Jamie Dwyer flicked it into the net for another field goal taking Australia’s lead up to 3 – 0.
With their confidence back after two goals in the third quarter the Kookaburras eased comfortably in to the fourth quarter, notching up another goal with Aran Zalewski fighting off two Pakistan defenders to slot in a field goal.
Kookaburras Senior Assistant Coach, Paul Gaudoin said: “It was a really solid performance by our guys. We were able to contain Pakistan very well which was highlighted in the intensity of the game.
“It’s a little disappointing that we didn’t execute more of the chances at goal, but it’s something that we can work on. We only gave away a few chances to Pakistan, so we really controlled the game for the duration.”
The Kookaburras next play New Zealand on Tuesday at 4.05pm AWST / 6.05pm AEST.
Results & Fixtures, today
JPN 1 – 4 NZL
AUS 4 – 0 PAK
CAN - IND
Kookaburras’ squad v Pakistan
Started
Fergus Kavanagh (Gerladton, WA) 219/15
Jacob Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 102/44
Matthew Dawson (Killarney Vale, NSW) 35/6
Simon Orchard (Maitland, NSW) 190/55
Flynn Ogilvie (Wollongong, NSW) 22/10
Jamie Dwyer (Rockhampton, QLD) 354/235
Matthew Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD) 146/48
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 69/3
Chris Ciriello (Melbourne, VIC) 180/114
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 80/10
Andrew Charter (Canberra, ACT) 106/0
Used Substitute
Blake Govers (Wollongong, NSW) 20/18
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 48/17
Mark Knowles (Rockhampton, QLD) 278/22
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS) 265/64
Tom Craig (Lane Cove, NSW) 19/17
Unused Substitute
Matthew Swann (Mackay, QLD) 129/6
Tyler Lovell (Perth, WA) 61/0
Kookaburras’ fixtures
Tuesday 12 April – Kookaburras vs New Zealand - 4.05pm AWST / 6.05pm AEST
Wednesday 13 April – Kookaburras vs Japan – 6.05pm AWST / 8.05pm AEST
Friday 15 April – Kookaburras vs Canada - 6.05pm AWST / 8.05pm AEST
Saturday 16 April - TBC
Hockey Australia
