The fans were promised more goals and exciting play at the Lanco International Super Series and that is exactly what they got tonight, with the Kookaburras putting on an exhibition to defeat New Zealand 7-1 in Perth on Friday. The Hockeyroos were also winners, defeating Malaysia to seal their place in the tournament final. Reports of the matches can be found below, while more information about the tournament can be found at the following link: http://hockey.org.au/index.php?id=481
Kookaburras goal fest at the Lanco International Super Series
The fans were promised more goals and exciting play at the Lanco International Super Series and that is exactly what they got tonight, with the Kookaburras putting on an exhibition to defeat New Zealand 7-1 in Perth on Friday.
Following on from last night’s 3-2 win over Pakistan, the Kookaburras made the most of the all new rules and the chance to be on TV (matches broadcast via ABC) to show off their skill and reconfirm exactly why they are the number 1 team in the world.
The Kookaburras’ first goal in the game came within the first two minutes, testament to the intensity applied by the home side to gaining the upper hand. It was all Kookaburras in the first half, dominating possession and keeping the Kiwis busy in defence.
The scoreboard was running hot as the Kookaburras’ tight possession and excellent passing saw Glenn Turner, Jason Wilson and Des Abbott all claim excellent goals, heading the break 4-0 up over the kiwis.
Australia continued to apply pressure straight out from the half-time break, rewarded with a penalty corner to Des Abbott in the 28th minute. New Zealand earned themselves their solitary goal in the 25th minute but were quickly overshadowed by another Kookaburras goal, this time to Glenn Simpson, putting any chance of a victory well out of reach of the visitors.
The Kookaburras celebrated their emphatic victory with a lap of the pitch, thanking the excellent and vocal crowd here at the Perth Hockey Stadium for their support.
Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth said that game demonstrated exactly what the sport had hoped to achieve by creating the tournament with new rules.
“That was a magnificent performance compared to yesterday and perhaps we were still trying to find our feet. We want to play expansively and take enough risks to get goals and there was some spectacular play and people didn’t enjoy that I don’t know what they would want.
Tonight’s game showed the potential of what you can do with this game and more space (on the field) and the right attitude. The players enjoy playing in front of a crowd and at home and they like being on TV,” said Charlesworth.
Hockeyroos advance to Lanco International Super Series final
The Hockeyroos will face India in the final of the Lanco International Super Series after defeating Malaysia and drawing with India during their double header tonight at day 2 of the newly created tournament.
With all new rules created to make the game faster and more exciting, the Hockeyroos were the more attacking side in both games, but faced two opponents who’s strategy was to sit back and look for counter attacks.
In the first game Malaysia controlled the play early in the match. Although the Hockeyroos struggled in some areas of their game the continued to attack, but unfortunately many of their shots on goal were off target, handing valuable possession to their opponent in the shortened version of the game.
With the threat of a scoreless first half looming, Fiona Boyce was awarded a Penalty Shootout with 10 seconds on the clock, with captain Madonna Blyth successfully navigating past Malaysian keeper and giving the Hockeyroos the lead before the break.
They continued to attack in the second half but could only manage one more goal which went to exciting teenager Kellie White, claiming a great goal off a reverse stick shot in the 25th minute. As the clock wound down, neither team gave an inch, nor did they trouble the scorers again.
In the second game It was a tough grind for both teams, Australia’s Ashleigh Nelson opening the scoring in the 10th minute after three successive penalty corners were awarded and the third their most successful. In this the Hockeyroos second game of the evening, the team was warmed up and keen to claim an emphatic victory. India looked threatening on many occasions, but the Australians contained them well to head into the half-time break with their lead, 1-0.
India hit their strides in the second half, attacking through accurate long-reaching passes to their solitary back. Australia’s defenders were never far away and were quick to shut down the final efforts by the Indians.
Both teams worked furiously in attack as the clock wound down, the Indians making every possible effort to score. Soundarya Yendala levelled the scores, rewarding India for their consistent attacking efforts, off a penalty corner.
The teams finished this match drawn with one goal a piece, they will meet again on Saturday afternoon for the chance to face off one more time before they play in the final on Sunday.
Coach Adam Commens said he was frustrated the Hockeyroos did not get more reward for their attacking style of play.
“I think in this form of the game its easy for teams to get everyone behind the ball and defend, and you only need to hang on for 30 minutes and the pressure is on the more attacking side to score and they can go onto the counter. If you have 70 minutes in a match you can wear them down and as they get more tired you can capital. I think you will find in a couple of those matches today teams will hang on in the first half and the second half is where you work on top of them. I have no doubt we are a higher quality side than India, we beat them 6-0 recently so its disappointing you don’t win but it was our second game of the day, the girls played at a high energy, we tried to make the play where as the other teams sat back and defended,” said Commens.
Two games still remain in day two of the Lanco International Super Series – the Kookaburras will face New Zealand and Pakistan and India will square off.
Source: Hockey Australia Media Release
