The Kookaburras have begun their European tour with a 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 now be sidelined for 2-3 months.
Knowles joins the long list of key players who are injured including Jamie Dwyer, Des Abbott, Grant Schubert and 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 lead to Spain early in the first half.
A penalty corner from Pau Quemada gave Spain the lead before Gabriel Dabanch added a second. However, Australia hit back five minutes before the break through Brent Dancer's penalty corner, making the score 2-1 at half time. The Kookaburras controlled the second half, scoring the next two unanswered goals from Jonathon Charlesworth and Matthew Butterini to ensure that their European tour started on a positive note.
The Kookaburras will again play Spain on Saturday 16 July.
Kookaburras 3 Spain 2 (1-2 half time)
Goals – Brent Dancer, Jonathon Charlesworth, Matthew Butturini
