Kookaburras fall just short against Great Britain
Published Sun 23 Apr 2023
A stellar performance from Great Britain’s goalkeepers has spoilt Jake Whetton’s 250th game and Joel Rintala’s debut as the Kookaburras finished on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline in their FIH Pro League match in Christchurch this afternoon.
Ky Willott’s sixth international goal gave the Kookaburras a dream start in the 10th minute, however Great Britain hit back just before quarter time before edging ahead in the 22nd minute.
Despite winning the penalty corner count 6-4 and finishing with a flurry, the Kookaburras could not find a way past Great Britain’s substitute goalkeeper Oliver Payne in the second half as the Brits maintained their unbeaten run in this FIH Pro League season.
Rintala came agonisingly close to scoring inside the first five minutes of his maiden international with a well-directed drag flick but it was kept out by James Mazarelo in the Great Britain goal.
Daniel Beale pounced on the rebound but again Mazarelo came to Great Britain’s rescue.
At the other end, the returning Andrew Charter saved low down to his right from Great Britain’s first penalty corner.
Beale and Ben Staines then combined to tee up a chance for Willott and the sharpshooter finished superbly from close range at the near post to break the deadlock.
The Kookaburras’ joy was short lived as Sam Ward fired a drag flick straight through the legs of Charter to make it 1-1.
Hayden Beltz sent a fierce shot from just inside the D early in the second quarter but again Mazarelo managed to keep the ball out.
The high level of feeling in the contest was highlighted when Eddie Ockenden tangled with Ward as both teams refused to take a backward step.
Great Britain then had their noses in front when Ward’s presence proved enough of a distraction to see Lee Morton’s cross with a reverse stick take a deflection into the net.
Willott went millimetres from capping off a brilliant Kookaburras move instigated and created by Jake Harvie, only for his eventual shot to rattle into the post.
An on target drag flick from Jack Welch was saved by Payne as the Kookaburras continued to ask questions of Great Britain’s defence.
With time running down, Head Coach Colin Batch removed Charter with three minutes left to give the Kookaburras a numerical outfield advantage.
Another well executed Rintala drag flick was again kept out by Payne, before the Queensland debutant had a final chance to make it a day to remember when the Kookaburras won a penalty corner with three seconds on the clock.
However, Payne came to Great Britain’s rescue again with a sharp reflex save from the low hard drag flick aimed straight down the middle.
The Kookaburras will now look ahead to a clash against New Zealand on Anzac Day.
“Great Britain are always a tough opponent…we knew they would play mark and full press, we knew it would be an intense game and we just fell a bit short today,” said Beale, who captained the team.
“We had good chances to score, some corners that were either not on target or were saved, so we’re disappointed but we’ll go back and look to improve.”
“Playing against New Zealand on Anzac Day is really special. Obviously it is a day that means a lot to both countries so we’ll be doing everything we can to win on Tuesday.”
The FIH Pro League series in Christchurch is broadcast on FOX Sports and Kayo.
Match Details
Kookaburras 1 (Willott 10’)
Great Britain 2 (Ward 14’, Morton 22’)
@ Nga Puna Wai Hockey Stadium, Christchurch
Kookaburras: 4.Jake Harvie, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 15.Jayden Atkinson, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 19.Craig Marais, 20.Ky Willott, 21.Jack Welch, 23.Daniel Beale (c), 26.James Collins, 27.Joel Rintala, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 33.Hayden Beltz, 36.Anand Gupte, 44.Ben Staines
Unused substitute: 8.Johan Durst (gk)
