A 4-1 win for the Kookaburras noticed them transfer to second place on the FIH Professional League desk and – regardless of solely taking part in half as many matches – solely 5 factors behind the world primary Netherlands aspect.
There are 3 extra Kookaburras matches to go in India, catch them stay and free on 7plus
The win got here only one week after they narrowly beat the Spaniards 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller, however the Kookaburras have proved they’re settling in properly to their competitors type.
Ever aggressive and decided on assault, it appeared Spain had a mountain to climb in the event that they have been to say simply their second win this season, and towards a scorching Australian outfit.
But it might be Spain who would strike first. Discovering the again of the web inside lower than two minutes, placing scoreboard stress on Australia early and subsequently carrying all of the momentum.
But when Spain thought that single second would set the tone for this match, they’d one other factor coming. Australia answered again nearly immediately to stage the rating, via a tidy discipline aim to Wollongong’s Flynn Ogilvie.
With 55 minutes left on the clock and nearly an entire sport of hockey to play, each groups have been again at sq. one, looking one other aim.
4 minutes later Australia formally began an onslaught.
Nathan Ephraums delivered a chic shot, carrying the ball away from the keeper and permitting it to sail straight into the again of the web.
“As a striker, it’s all the time good whenever you rating,” Nathan Ephraums mentioned post-match.
“Welchy put in an ideal help to me, it was a easy one, we follow these loads in coaching so it was good to place it previous the goalie and I’m completely satisfied in fact!”
As the sport continued, the Kookaburras continued to make Spain pay. Regardless of having three alternatives to attain via penalty corners, the Spaniards couldn’t break Australia’s defence.
By halftime, Jeremy Hayward’s efforts paid off with one other aim so as to add to his tally this match and prolong Australia’s lead by two objectives.
Within the third, the Kookaburras sealed the deal on the win with an attractive shot by NSW’s Tim Model.
Arrange with a incredible tuck underneath shot from Nathan Ephraums to Model, he tapped it in straight previous the keeper and the Kookaburras’ arms flew up in celebration.
“I feel final yr we put lots of work into our health and getting our mindset straight and it’s all coming collectively actually properly.”
With the scoreboard sitting at 4-1, Spain grew much more pissed off and with simply minutes to play they have been all the way down to 9 males.
However it wasn’t to be and for the inexperienced and gold machine, it was one more win to rejoice, as they cost on of their marketing campaign.
“We’ve had an ideal 5 video games, together with two comeback wins and we simply have lots of perception in what we’re doing on the market and it’s exhibiting on the market so we couldn’t be happier up to now.” Ephraums mentioned.
The Kookaburras will look to increase their unbeaten streak in lower than 24 hours after they tackle FIH Professional League newcomers Eire tomorrow night time.
Wanting forward, Ephraums had one fast message for his aspect.
“We are able to’t complain, so let’s maintain it rolling.”
Match Particulars
Spain: 1 (Pere Amat 2’)
Kookaburras: 4 (Flynn Ogilvie 4’, Nathan Ephraums 8’, Jeremy Hayward 25’, Tim Model 44’)
In Rourkela, India
Kookaburras: 2. Tom Craig, 3. Corey Weyer, 6. Matt Dawson, 8. Johan Durst (gk), 10. Joshua Beltz, 11. Eddie Ockenden, 20. Ky Willott, 21. Jack Welch, 22. Flynn Ogilvie, 23. Daniel Beale (c), 32. Jeremy Hayward, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 12. Jake Whetton, 16. Tim Howard, 17. Aran Zalewski, 26. James Collins 29. Tim Model, 30. Andrew Constitution (gk)