FIH Pro League: Kookaburras lose to Spain in shootout, Hockeyroos win 3-1
Australian hockey’s next gen has sent a warning to its rivals around the world, with one star declaring even after a FIH Pro League loss that “we’re going to dominate, there’s no doubt about that”.
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The rejuvenation of Australian hockey took another massive step on Saturday night as youngsters starred for both the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras in their FIH Pro League matches against Spain.
The Aussie women made it two consecutive wins against Spain as they came away with a 3-1 victory in front of a pulsating crowd of more than 2,800 fans at Sydney Olympic Park. Earlier in the night, the men were dominant in their 1-1 draw before falling to defeat in the ensuing shootout, 3-0.
Fresh off a massive win against reigning Olympic champions, the Netherlands, the Kookaburras were full of confidence and had all the early possession in midfield, but couldn’t make the most of their penalty corner opportunities.
Spain made the Aussies pay for their lack of cutting-edge in attack as they converted their first penalty corner in the second quarter.
Not long after, Ky Willott made it three goals in as many matches in the lead-up to half-time to draw the Kookaburras level.
Both Australian keepers – Jed Snowden and Mitch Nicholson – made several big saves to keep the hosts in the match. But even with their dominance through midfield, the Aussies – who had six penalty corners in the final quarter alone – couldn’t find a second goal.
Spanish keeper Luis Calzado then produced a masterclass in the shootout, making two blocks and forcing another miss, as the visitors wrapped up a 3-0 win to grab the bonus point on offer.
Despite the result, Mark Hager’s side remains overwhelmingly optimistic about their new direction. Willott, 23, has been one of the breakout stars for the Kookaburras this week and he believes the squad refresh has put them on the path to long-term success.
“It’s really enjoyable,” Willott said.
“When I came into the Kookaburras, I was the young kid playing among the older group. Now it’s changed and the eight debutants are all my age or younger, it’s extremely refreshing.
“The boys have been playing an extremely attacking brand of hockey…we need to keep attacking, playing direct and see what happens.
“In a couple of years we’re going to dominate, there’s no doubt about that.”
It was deja vu in the second game of the night as youngster Jade Smith provided the early spark for the Hockeyroos as she opened the scoring.
Playing in just her third international match, Smith’s late deflection under the nose of the keeper broke the deadlock early in the first quarter, just like she did in their previous clash with Spain on Wednesday.
Sofia Rogoski drew Spain level four minutes later, but it was Smith who again proved decisive early in the third quarter. She won a penalty corner which Maddison Brooks deflected on target to put the hosts back in the lead.
The Hockeyroos were clinical with their penalty corner opportunities as captain Claire Colwill added her side’s third goal of the match in the opening minutes of the final term.
Spain pushed for a path back into the match, but the Australians were able to focus on defence and see out the match.
“You just feel the electricity in the building especially when you’ve got this bloody amazing crowd surrounding us,” Smith, 23, said.
“Being part of this new group, it’s daunting at times but the girls get around me and I feel the legacy.
“I remember the first day I walked in, I felt like the new girl at school — I even got a bit teary tonight for the national anthem.
“The girls have spoken about (the Olympics in) Paris, but this is a new group. We’re thinking about LA so we really want to build on that legacy.”
Both Australian teams have one more game in Sydney on Sunday night, before they turn their attention to their next taste of Pro League action as they head to Argentina in just under a fortnight for matches against Argentina and Belgium.
Originally published as FIH Pro League: Kookaburras lose to Spain in shootout, Hockeyroos win 3-1
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