Kookaburras, Hockeyroos, take on Spain in FIH Pro League

It was a mixed night for Australia’s national hockey teams as the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras took on Spain in the first match of their FIH Pro League title defence in Sydney.

Australia’s Nathan Czinner battles for possession with Spain's Pau Cunill during the men's field hockey match between Australia and Spain in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Sydney on February 5, 2025. Picture: AFP

A triumphant return from Courtney Schonell has inspired the Hockeyroos to a strong 4-1 win over Spain in the FIH Pro League in Sydney after the Kookaburras fell to a 2-1 defeat to the same opponents.

Schonell, who missed both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics through injury, was playing in her first game for the Hockeyroos in 532 days.

The striker scored the third of Australia’s four goals as she spear-headed a free-flowing attack in her return from a devastating ACL injury and the hosts started their Pro League campaign with a victory.

Earlier in the night, a nervy Kookaburras side featuring eight debutants narrowly lost to Spain. The new-look team only featured five players who appeared in the team’s unsuccessful Olympics campaign, with new coach Mark Hager overseeing his first match in charge.

Australia’s Connar Otterbach fights for the ball with Spain's Borja Lacalle. Picture: AFP

Understandably there were some cagey moments from both sides, with Liam Henderson nearly scoring early in his debut. Goalkeeper Mitch Nicholson was also under pressure as he earned his first Kookaburras cap.

But despite surviving a few scares, including a penalty corner that cannoned off the crossbar, Spain eventually found the lead in the second quarter through Pau Petchame.

The teams continued to trade penalty corners with no luck before Nicolas Alvarez guided the ball into the bottom corner for a 2-0 lead in the final quarter.

Ky Willott scored an impressive consolation goal with three minutes remaining, but despite the Kookaburras’ best efforts and particularly strong endeavour from debutant Cooper Burns, Spain held on for a 2-1 victory.

“I think we lost our way a little bit with the ball at times,” Hager said. “We kept turning it over and probably played into their hands a little bit through the middle of the pitch.

Australia’s Nathan Czinner (R) battles for possession with Spain's Pau Cunill. Picture: AFP

“But they’re learning. Like all young athletes, they play without fear. They’re going to make mistakes. That’s international hockey now. They’ve played the level beneath, now it’s the next step for them.

“It was an opportunity to give some of these guys that have been sitting in the wings a taste of international hockey and now that they’ve got it, hopefully they learn and they get better and better.”

It was a debutant who got the scoring underway for the Hockeyroos as Jade Smith a penalty corner with one of her first touches of the match, before getting on the end of the ensuing play to give the Aussies a 1-0 lead.

The Spaniards then hit back in the second quarter with a beautifully-taken goal by Patricia Alvarez. But it was the Hockeyroos who found their groove in the second half.

Penny Squibb was the first to capitalise, converting a well-worked penalty corner. Schonell then got in on the action as she found the back of the net from close distance.

Australian players celebrate a goal. Picture: AFP

The hosts showcased some strong defensive resolve to hold onto the lead, before Mariah Williams scored the fourth goal to secure the Hockeyroos’ points of the competition.

“I was just super excited just to enjoy playing again after coming back from a major injury,” Schonell said.

“There was definitely lots of time to think about (the return), but once I centred myself, I was just happy to play for my country again.

“(The result) shows that we can score goals and we can play as a team. I’m all smiles, I’m happy and excited we got the win as well.”

Both teams will be back in action on Thursday night as they seek Olympic revenge against the sides that knocked them out in Paris. The Kookaburras will take on reigning Olympic champions, the Netherlands, in the first match before the Hockeyroos go up against silver medallists, China.

Originally published as Kookaburras, Hockeyroos, take on Spain in FIH Pro League