HOCKEY: There was some spectacular hockey on display last night at the Darwin International Hockey Open, with the fast-paced game giving both sides ample opportunity to score; however, it was Australia who came away with their second win of the series defeating Pakistan 3 – 0.

After a couple of missed opportunities early in the first quarter, the Kookaburras were in with an early lead thanks to a scrabble in the Australian circle resulting in a field goal for Tom Wickham.

Pakistan had an opportunity on a penalty corner early into the second quarter, before Australia’s Flynn Ogilvie and Kiran Arunasalam made a late break for goal which narrowly missed the post.

With only a minute to go before half time the Kookaburras went for it; a penalty corner narrowly missing the mark, before Trent Mitton added to the goal tally with a strike that sailed straight past Pakistan goalkeeper Amjad Ali.

Three minutes into the second half and the Kookaburras were at it again, Aaron Kleinschmidt scoring a field goal from a reverse flick, extending the Australian’s lead to 3 – 0.

Both teams continued to press going into the final quarter, but as the final buzzer sounded the score remained at 3 – 0 in Australia’s favour.

Kookaburras head coach Colin Batch said: “It was a tournament match tonight, with very tight conditions. We had to make play from a team that was camped in the back 35 so it really good practice for us going forward.

“To come away with a 3 – nil win when it wasn’t our best game and we made a lot of mistakes was fantastic. It was pleasing that there were also some good passages, and more importantly that we can learn a lot from that performance.”

The Kookaburras next take on Pakistan on Friday evening at 7pm ACST at the Marrara Hockey Stadium, with tickets available through www.Ntix.com.au

Hockey Australia