Hockeyroos fall in final minutes as Kookaburras create chances against Dutch
The Hockeyroos were left heartbroken after conceding a late winner to Belgium, while the Kookaburras generated plenty of attacking opportunities.
The Hockeyroos were left heartbroken after conceding a late winner to Belgium, while the Kookaburras generated plenty of attacking opportunities but were unable to halt a clinical Netherlands side as both Australian teams wrapped up their European FIH Pro League campaign.
Hockeyroos Pushed to the Limit by Belgium
The Hockeyroos suffered a cruel 2-1 defeat to Belgium after the hosts found the winner with just two minutes remaining in an entertaining contest.
Australia looked to have made the perfect start, finding the back of the net inside the opening two minutes before a video referral ruled the goal out.
Belgium capitalised on a penalty corner opportunity in the 10th minute after goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram received a five-minute yellow card for an infringement outside the circle. Charlotte Englebert converted through the legs of substitute goalkeeper Zoe Newman to hand the hosts the early advantage.
The Hockeyroos responded impressively and made the most of Belgium being reduced to 10 players during the second quarter. Their persistence paid off from a re-awarded penalty corner when Grace Stewart unleashed a superb reverse-stick strike into the roof of the net in the 22nd minute to level the scores.
The sides headed into half-time locked at 1-1 after an evenly contested opening half.
With temperatures soaring, the third quarter became a physical battle as both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities.
Australia looked the more likely side to find a winner in the final quarter, but Belgium struck from a penalty corner variation in the 58th minute. Camille Belis reacted quickest to the rebound to seal a narrow 2-1 victory for the home side.
Watch the replay here.
Australia Goals:
- Grace Stewart (22nd minute)
The Hockeyroos now turn their attention to the Netherlands on Sunday, 2:00am AEST.
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Kookaburras Unable to Convert Pressure Against Netherlands
The Kookaburras created more circle entries and penalty corners than the Netherlands but were made to pay for defensive lapses as the Dutch claimed a 6-3 victory.
Australia controlled much of the opening quarter and looked dangerous with ball in hand before the Netherlands opened the scoring from their first penalty corner, Jip Janssen converting in the 13th minute.
The Dutch doubled their advantage four minutes later through Duco Telgenkamp, but the Kookaburras quickly hit back when Ky Willott powered home a penalty corner slap in the 20th minute to reduce the margin.
Despite Australia's attacking pressure, the Netherlands capitalised on their opportunities, with Telgenkamp adding a second before Derck de Vilder produced a solo effort to give the hosts a 4-1 lead at the main break.
The Kookaburras continued to press throughout the third quarter but were unable to find a breakthrough before the Dutch extended their lead from another penalty corner late in the period.
Australia refused to go away in the final quarter. Nathan Ephraums timed his run perfectly behind the defence before calmly lifting the ball over the goalkeeper in the 52nd minute, while Tim Howard added another from a cleverly worked penalty corner variation with just over a minute remaining.
However, Janssen completed the scoring with his second drag flick of the match in the dying seconds as the Netherlands secured the result.
Australia Goals:
- Ky Willott (20th minute)
- Nathan Ephraums (52nd minute)
- Tim Howard (59th minute)
The Kookaburras now shift their focus towards final preparations as the look to face off against Belgium on Monday, 4:30am AEST.
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