GOLDEN MOMENT FOR FINN
Toowoomba goal keeper wins gold
HOCKEY: Toowoomba’s Matthew Finn is one step closer to playing for the Kookaburras after helping the Australian U21 men’s team to a back-to-back victory in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.
The Aussie team defeated a young and developing USA team 19 nil in its opening game, following by a 4 nil win over Japan.
Next up was defending champions India.
“India is probably the most outstanding when it comes to the Asian style (of hockey),” Finn said.
“A lot of the Indian players were quite quick, not just from a striking point of view but all the way through the ranks.”
He said India were quick to run out its turnovers compared to Great Britain who would hold possession and play the safe option.
“They (India) will back their skill and ability to just get the ball going,” he said.
Australia knocked over India 4-3 and faced its biggest challenge in Great Britain.
“Out of all the games GB were definitely the hardest to handle,” Finn said.
“They have that European style of play which is quite new to a lot of the boys.”
Australia dropped its first game to Great Britain, went on to defeat host team Malaysia 3-1 and faced Great Britain again in the final.
It wasn’t until the final 30 seconds of the game Finn believed Australia had won gold.
Relief washed over him as the final siren went.
“It was like job done,” he said and Australia took home the gold in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
“Part of our success was changing up what Australia is known for – our aggressiveness and taking the game on,” Finn said.
“We played a little bit more possession-based rather than trying to go go go every time.”
The new style paid off for the team and hopefully for Finn as well as he trains towards making the Australian Development Squad.
Finn, 20, will head into another Junior Australian Development Squad camp in December.
“Every now and then someone from development will jump up in the Kookaburras,” he said.