HOCKEY: Jamie Dwyer continued his good form in front of goal as his hat-trick led the Kookaburras to a 5-2 victory over Korea at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The three-time Olympian, later named Man of the Match, was joined on the score sheet by fellow Olympic gold medallist, captain Mark Knowles, and Eddie Ockenden, who struck his 60th goal for Australia.
The result keeps the Kookaburras top of the standings after three matches, ahead of second place New Zealand Black Sticks on goal difference .The trans-Tasman rivals meet on Thursday evening.
It was a performance of which Head Coach Graham Reid declared he “couldn’t fault their attitude and endeavour”, although he cautioned “we can’t expect to win tournaments giving away 11 corners [in a match]. That’s something to work on.”
On Jamie Dwyer’s early form, Reid said, “He’s been hanging at the bit to play for Australia again. It’s good to see him keen. All the things we spoke about in November, we’re seeing the right actions here.”
Following a goalless opening quarter of an hour the Kookaburras found themselves behind to Seongkyu Kim’s penalty corner goal two minutes into the second quarter, but Dwyer’s strike a minute later restored parity.
Missing forward Glenn Turner, who suffered a pectoral injury in training earlier in the day, Australia went ahead through captain Mark Knowles’ goal from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute. And a minute later Tasmanian Eddie Ockenden doubled the advantage with his 60th goal for the Kookaburras.
On the stroke of three-quarter time Dwyer struck again from a penalty corner and the 36 year-old forward completed his hat-trick soon after the restart. Korea pulled one back from a penalty corner through Jonghyun Jang six minutes from time, a reward for their persistence in winning 11 corners.
Reid added, “We’re doing a lot of learning here, which is part of it. We had a good session on set plays today and we saw some of that tonight. It’s [about taking] slow baby steps at the moment.”
Looking ahead to the clash with New Zealand Black Sticks, Reid said, “They’re playing very well. They’re looking sharp and it’s going to be a tough encounter. We’re looking forward to it.”
The Kookaburras’ fourth match of the Sultan Azlan Shah will be against New Zealand on Thursday 9 April, 8:10pm AEST/6:10pm AWST. The match will be shown on delay on Eurosport at 3:30pm AEST on Friday.
Following his injury, Glenn Turner will play no further part in the tournament.
Kookaburras squad v Korea
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 47/8
Tristan Clemons (GK) (Ferndale, WA) 13/0
Matthew Dawson (Central Coast, NSW) 13/0
Jamie Dwyer (Rockhampton, QLD) 324/212
Matt Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD) 113/32
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 30/10
Mark Knowles (C) (Rockhampton, QLD) 248/21
Glenn Simpson (Melbourne, VIC) 121/22
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 81/34
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 47/3
Aran Zalewski (Margaret River, WA) 49/4
Used Substitute
Nick Budgeon (Hobart, TAS) 31/12
Tim Cross (Eaglemont, VIC) 3/1
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 65/20
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS) 234/60
Dylan Wotherspoon (Murwillumbah, QLD) 7/2
Did Not Play
Leon Hayward (GK) (Darwin, NT) 3/0
Glenn Turner (Goulburn, NSW) 114/79
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Standings
1. Australia (9 points, 3 games)
2. New Zealand (9 points, 3 games)
3. Korea (4 points, 3 games)
4. India (1 point, 2 games)
5. Malaysia (0 points, 2 games)
6. Canada (0 points, 0 games)
Kookaburras’ Sultan Azlan Shah remaining fixtures
Thursday 9 April – Kookaburras v New Zealand – 8:10pm AEST
Saturday 11 April – Kookaburras v India– 6:10pm AEST
Sunday 12 April – Final 10:40pm AEST / Bronze 8:10pm AEST / 5th-6th 5:40pm AEST
Sultan Azlan Shah competing teams
Australia (World ranking #1)
Canada (#15)
Korea (#8)
India (#9)
Malaysia (#12)
New Zealand (#7)
HOCKEY AUSTRALIA
