Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy - Day 3 - Australia v Pakistan
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Australia defender Luke Doerner has announced his retirement from international hockey. A veteran of 175 caps and 112 goals, the laid-back defender chose to announce his retirement on Facebook and Twitter.
"Just letting you know that after seven years I am retiring from the Kookaburras," Doerner wrote. "I have made so many friends and great memories along the way I truly feel blessed. Thank you all for the support."
The 33-year-old may not have earned his first cap until he was 25, but his conversion rate on penalty corners significantly contributed to the Kookaburras' success.
Among his long list of achievements, Doerner won a total of five FIH Champions Trophies incuding an unprecedented four in a row between 2008 and 2011. He also claimed two Commonwealth Gold Medals as well as the 2010 FIH World Cup title, where he scored the winning goal in the tournament final against Germany. He has publicly admitted that the Kookaburra's triumph at the World Cup was his best moment in hockey, with his 60th minute goal proving to be the difference between the two teams.
His omission from the London team earlier this year meant that Doerner was unable to add to the bronze medal he won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Doerner hopes to spend more time fishing and with his young family, while remaining involved in the sport and completing a Masters in Business.
Replying to Doerner's retirement tweet, long time friend and rival Moritz Fuerste of Germany wrote: "That is so Great (for us!) thank you for the great times on and off the pitch..."
Source Material: themercury.com.au
Australia defender Luke Doerner has announced his retirement from international hockey. A veteran of 175 caps and 112 goals, the laid-back defender and penalty corner expert chose to announce his retirement on Facebook and Twitter."Just letting you know that after seven years I am retiring from the Kookaburras," Doerner wrote. "I have made so many friends and great memories along the way I truly feel blessed. Thank you all for the support."
The 33-year-old may not have earned his first cap until he was 25, but his conversion rate on penalty corners significantly contributed to the Kookaburras' success.
Among his long list of achievements, Doerner won a total of five FIH Champions Trophies incuding an unprecedented four in a row between 2008 and 2011. He also claimed two Commonwealth Gold Medals as well as the 2010 FIH World Cup title, where he scored the winning goal against Germany in the tournament final. He has publicly admitted that the World Cup success with the Kookaburras was his finest moment in hockey, with his 60th minute penalty corner goal proving to be the difference between the two teams.
His omission from the London team earlier this year meant that Doerner was unable to add to the bronze medal he won at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Doerner hopes to spend more time fishing and with his young family, while remaining involved in the sport and completing a Masters in Business.
Source Material: themercury.com.au
