Kookaburras deny Spain for semi-final spot
THE Kookaburras came from two goals down and denied Spain a last-gasp equaliser to book a place in the final four of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
Australia has reached the semi-finals or better in every World Cup dating back to 1978, but that record was under serious threat in Bhubaneswar, India, as Spain shot out to a two-goal lead inside the first half-hour.
Flynn Ogilvie found the goal just five seconds from halftime to drag No.1 seed Australia back into the contest.
It sparked a scintillating four-goal spell in just eight game minutes, including a
double from Jeremy Hayward, which dragged the Kookaburras into a matchwinning position before the pendulum again swung to Spain.
Redsticks captain Marc Miralles pegged a goal back in
the 41st minute and the Spanish skipper was handed a giltedged opportunity to draw level when awarded a penalty stroke in the dying stages.
Enter Kookaburras goalkeeper Andrew Charter, who stood tall to deny Miralles the equaliser from the spot, clinching Australia safe passage to the semis in the process.
“Being two goals down made it really hard,” Charter said. “The third quarter really brought us back into the game and tested our mettle so we’re proud to come away with the win. When Spain were awarded the stroke (near the end of the match) I was just trying to calm the nerves down; take a couple of deep breaths and then try and work out which way he is going, and I picked the right way.”
Australia will play the winner of Germany and England in Friday night’s semi-final.
The Kookaburras last won the World Cup in 2014.