Kookaburras undone by German second-half blitz in Berlin

The Kookaburras are ruing missed opportunities after Germany stormed back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 win in Berlin, in their first FIH Pro League meeting of the European campaign.

The match fell on a special occasion for Queensland defender Tim Howard, who brought up his 150th international appearance in green and gold, as the Kookaburras sought to amend their 1-2 loss to England just days prior.

Australia came out with the trademark intensity that had seen them win five from six matches on their FIH Pro League European tour, and it appeared they were in line to do it again.

But a second-half resurgence from Germany flipped the script, with the hosts delivering a blistering third quarter to snatch the lead and hold on in the final minutes.

"It was a tough game out there today. I've played with and against a lot of the guys over here in Germany in their domestic competition and they're a really tough team. They made the most of their opportunities and they really pushed after what was probably a poor start," Tim Howard said post-match.

"I took a moment this morning to look at some photos of when I was growing up, playing hockey all the way through juniors and club hockey, to now. The past 150 games have been amazing, I'm loving it a lot, I'm loving it more than I probably ever have, and I'm very grateful to still be playing. 

"I love this team, I love playing international hockey so I'll try and do it for as long as I can because I love it a lot, I love challenging myself, I love the environment, and I love this group."

Kookaburras coach Mark Hager made four changes to the side that went down to England on Sunday night, including the return of prolific striker Blake Govers, who made an immediate impact. 

Within three minutes, Govers rocketed home the opener off his right foot, to score his 161st international goal and his seventh in four games of the European tour, giving Australia the perfect start.

The chances kept coming. Govers rattled the post with a penalty corner flick, before drag flick specialist Joel Rintala made no mistake with a thunderous strike to double Australia’s lead midway through the first quarter. 

The Kookaburras dominated territory, defence and pressure, forcing repeated saves from the German defence, winning one-on-one battles and finishing the quarter firmly in control.

But it soon became a battle between two of the best penalty corner exponents in the game, as Germany responded in the second. Striking back through Gonzalo Peillat, to bring the home side into the contest and claw the margin back to one. 

Australian goalkeeper Ash Thomas was suddenly the busier of the two keepers on the pitch, while Tim Howard marked his milestone with a crucial tackle on the halftime buzzer to preserve the Kookaburras’ 2-1 lead at the break.

But the third quarter belonged to Germany.

They levelled early with a well-worked field goal, then struck again moments later off a penalty corner to take the lead for the first time in the match. 

The Kookaburras, who were in full control, suddenly found themselves chasing.

Both sides fought hard in the fourth as Germany kept their advantage and Australia pushed desperately for an equaliser, pulling Thomas in the final three minutes to add another attacker. But despite a late surge and mounting pressure, the Kookaburras couldn’t find a way to send the match to a shootout.

"They put a lot of pressure on us in the second quarter in that little period, and they got a few corners and we were a little bit untidy in our defence and gave them too many opportunities," Tim added.

"Once they got one, the game was on again. Looking ahead, we need to set up quickly every time, be ready for the game as it comes, and we can't afford to be sloppy or untidy."

The Kookaburras retain second place on the standings on 27 points, two points clear of Belgium in third and three points clear of Germany, who can level if they win the final match between the two sides tomorrow night.

"We'll review this game very meticulously and we'll play tomorrow like it's the final, seeing as it's the last game of the tour and hopefully we'll have a good result."

The final game of the Kookaburras FIH Pro League season against Germany gets underway tomorrow morning at 1.30am AWST / 3.30am AEST, live and free on 7plus.

Full FIH Pro League fixtures & results

Kookaburras v Germany
Kookaburras: 2 (Blake Govers 3" (FG), Joel Rintala 8" (PC))
Germany: 3 (Gonazalo Peillat 19" (PC), Henrik Mertgens 35" (FG), Benedikt Schwarzhaupt 38" (PC))
Ernst Reuter Sportfeld, Berlin
     
Kookaburras: 2. Tom Craig, 6. Anand Gupte, 7. Nathan Ephraums, 10. Josh Beltz, 13. Blake Govers, 16. Tim Howard, 17. Tom Harvie, 19. Craig Marais, 20. Ky Willott, 21. Jack Welch, 23. Hayden Beltz, 25. Nathan Czinner, 26. James Collins, 27. Joel Rintala, 28. Ash Thomas (gk), 29. Tim Brand (c), 48. Davis Atkin
Kookaburras FIH Pro League UK/Europe Tour Schedule

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