Loss of composure costly for Aussies
THE Kookaburras had an opening weekend to forget in the FIH Pro League, losing 4-1 to Belgium yesterday after blowing a big lead against The Netherlands on Saturday.
International hockey’s new tournament posed a tough first assignment for the Australian men’s team, who appeared to wilt in the draining 35C heat on both days in Melbourne against the recent World Cup finalists.
From 5-2 up at three-quarter time against the Dutch, the home team conceded seven goals over the rest of the weekend and scored just one more.
That leaves Australia with just one point from two games, while the world champion Belgians have nine points from four away games in Spain, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia.
“We pride ourselves on defence but it was not good enough this weekend,” said Kookaburras captain Aran Zalewski.
As was the case on Saturday, Australia scored early – with Daniel Beale netting in the opening minute from a cross by newcomer Jacob Anderson. But the visitors levelled 30 seconds before the break when man of the match Sebastian Dockier squeezed home from a tight angle after a cross missed by several players.
Belgium deservedly took the lead just before the long break when Alexander Hendrickx scored from a powerful flick after Beale conceded a corner through ill- discipline.
Australia lost striker Tim Brand at halftime through injury and fell apart.
They were sloppy, disjointed and had one-out attacks easily turned over.