The wait is over and the stage is set as the world number one ranked Kookaburras to open the Tokyo 2020 Olympic hockey tournament against host nation Japan tomororw (Saturday 24 July).
But there will be one thing missing from the opening match at the Oi Hockey Stadium and it could provide the Kookaburras with their biggest advantage…a crowd.
When the Kookaburras take to the pitch, the seats won’t be filled with 10,000 flag-waving Japanese fans cheering on the host nation.
One only needs to look at the history books to see the impact a home crowd can have with the Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams both medalling at the Sydney Games.
This is supported by research from Victoria’s Swinburn University which found an Olympic host nation will win more than three times their usual percentage of medals thanks to a hometown advantage.
Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch says the absence of a home crowd will give the Kookaburras their best chance against the high-paced Japanese team, especially considering temperatures of up to 31 degrees are forecast for Tokyo.
“Obviously Japan are very well conditioned for the climate and the humidity that we're facing,” said Batch.
“It won't be an easy game. We won't take them lightly; they're a very fast team, so we will need to play fast-paced hockey.
“We’ve done a lot of preparation in the heat, but it will go to another level in Tokyo. We need to manage our metrics accordingly.”
The Kookaburras will rely on the experienced members of the team to settle the nerves of 11 debutants included in the Tokyo team.
Co-captain Eddie Ockenden, competing at his fourth Games, will be among those to provide stability for those making their maiden outing.
Japan goes into the match ranked 15th in the world but with a spirited approach after qualifying for their first Olympics since 1968 by winning the 2018 Asian Games ahead of higher-ranked nations India, Malaysia and Pakistan.
“There's a lot of experience in our team,” said Batch.
“It is a matter of staying grounded and focused on what we can do in the moment for this match rather than thinking too far ahead.
“We have a saying, ‘we don't fear anyone and we can beat anyone on any given day, but we also know if we have an off day that we could easily lose’. That’s a catalyst for us to always prepare well for any given game.”
Pushback is at 9:30am local time (10:30am AEST).
Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Men’s Hockey
- Japan v Kookaburras
- Saturday 24 July 2021
- Oi Stadium, Tokyo
- Start time: 9:30am local (10:30am AEST)
- Broadcast: LIVE on 7Plus
Kookaburras v Japan
- Played 26; Kookaburras 23, Draws 2, Japan 1
Last time they met
- 7-Aug-19 (Test Match, Osaka)
- Kookaburras 3 (Ogilvie 7', Govers 33', Anderson 57') Japan 0
Kookaburras squad
1.Lachlan Sharp, 2.Tom Craig, 5.Tom Wickham, 6.Matthew Dawson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 14.Dylan Martin, 15.Josh Simmonds, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 23.Daniel Beale, 25.Trent Mitton, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward
- Saturday 24 July (9.30am local, 10.30am AEST) - Japan v Kookaburras
- Sunday 25 July (6.30pm local, 7.30pm AEST) - India v Kookaburras
- Tuesday 27 July (9.30am local, 10.30am AEST) - Argentina v Kookaburras
- Wednesday 28 July (9.15pm local, 10.15pm AEST) - Kookaburras v New Zealand
- Friday 30 July (10.00am local, 11.00am AEST) - Kookaburras v Spain
Catriona Dixon
