Kookaburras keep title defence alive with second straight 6-1 win over Ireland

The Kookaburras FIH Pro League title defence is well and truly alive, after claiming their fifth-straight Pro League victory with another dominant 6-1 win over Ireland in Antwerp, Belgium.

The reigning champions delivered another physical and clinical performance to remain unbeaten in Europe and continue an impressive campaign that has seen them jump six places to second on the standings. They sit just nine points shy of the Netherlands and have a shot at going top should results fall their way tonight.

"Most importantly, it was nice to back up last night's match with another win. The Irish are very tough and to score six goals against a team like that is a great result," Victoria's Craig Marais said post-match.

"We've got a reasonably young group and there's not much fear. We've been given the licence from Mark Hager and the coaching staff to play with freedom and you can see that in a lot of the boys, everyone's taking the game on, everyone's supporting each other and it's really enjoyable."

From the outset, the Kookaburras set the tone with a ruthless and physical approach, suffocating Ireland across the pitch. Their pressure paid off inside 11 minutes when Nathan Ephraums pounced to score off a blistering Jeremy Hayward drag flick from Australia’s first penalty corner.

Ireland answered back early, eventually breaking past Australian goalkeeper Ash Thomas to level the scores in the first half. But any hopes for Ireland of a close contest were quickly snuffed out.

Australia responded with trademark intensity, as Hayward thundered home another drag flick to restore the lead, before Ephraums produced a moment of magic in a contender for goal of the game, diving to rocket a brilliant finish into the top corner to make it 3-1 before halftime and his second of the match.

Victoria’s Craig Marais added his name to the highlight reel early in the third quarter, as he hammered home a blistering strike to score his second career goal and stretch the lead to a healthy 4-1 scoreline. 

"I think I got a little bit lucky there because I was a bit out of position!" Craig Marais recalled.

"Tim Howard said, 'Have a crack!" I just went for it, a couple of things fell my way and I managed to
put it in.

"I feel really lucky, I'm playing with a lot of my childhood mates that I grew up playing hockey with, so to put on the yellow shirt or the ochre shirt is very special."

Ireland couldn't match the Kookaburras' intensity, and in trying, they found themselves down to 10 men due to a yellow card. Perfect timing for Davis Atkin to score his second goal of the season, with a calm and precise strike into the bottom far corner.

The final quarter saw Australia recreate the scoreline from the previous day, with Ky Willott finishing off a slick, high-quality team move that started with a pinpoint overhead from Tom Craig.

"It's very nice to get these victories, our fifth in a row now and our second in a row against Ireland is no easy feat," Player of the Match Ky Willott told 7plus. 

"Ireland is a proud, tough side, but we're very happy with how we're playing at the moment. We're playing high-pressure, super attacking hockey, and we're pushing hard [to defend our title]."

The Kookaburras can defend the FIH Pro League title if they win their remaining four matches, two apiece against England and Germany, and if the Netherlands lose or are forced to a shootout against England on Thursday.

The Kookaburras continue their campaign against hosts England in London this Saturday night/Sunday morning, with game one hitting off at 10.30pm AWST / 12.30am AEST, live and free on 7plus.

Full FIH Pro League fixtures & results

Kookaburras v Ireland
Kookaburras: 6 (Nathan Ephraums 11" & 22" (PC & FG), Jeremy Hayward 21" (PC), Craig Marais 37" (FG), Davis Atkin 39" (FG), Ky Willott  57" (FG))
Ireland: 1 (Lee Cole 17" (PC))
Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp
  
Kookaburras: 2. Tom Craig, 5. Cooper Burns, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 10. Josh Beltz, 16. Tim Howard, 17. Tom Harvie, 19. Craig Marais, 20. Ky Willott (c), 21. Jack Welch, 26. James Collins, 28. Ash Thomas (gk), 32. Jeremy Hayward, 33. Hayden Beltz, 36. Anand Gupte, 48. Davis Atkin, 56. Connar Otterbach, 61. Ben White
Kookaburras FIH Pro League UK/Europe Tour Schedule

London, England
Sunday, June 22 – 12.30am AEST / 10.30pm AWST (Sat June 21) – England v Kookaburras
Sunday, June 22 – 11.30pm AEST / 9.30pm AWST - England v Kookaburras

Berlin, Germany
Wednesday, June 25 – 3.30am AEST / 1.30am AWST – Germany v Kookaburras
Thursday, June 26 - 3.30am AEST / 1.30am AWST – Germany v Kookaburras