Kookaburras topple Germany in FIH Pro League
Published Wed 15 Mar 2023
Two stunning first quarter strikes and resolute defending have given the Kookaburras a 2-1 win over world champions Germany in the FIH Pro League in India.
The Kookaburras reversed Saturday’s loss to the Germans courtesy of world class goals from Jake Whetton and Jack Welch.
After two narrow defeats to start the ‘mini tournament’ in Rourkela, the Kookaburras’ determination was clear from the outset as they were awarded a penalty corner in the first 30 seconds.
With two international matches under their belts, the Kookaburras’ four debutants were growing in confidence and in the 12th minute the Australians went ahead.
Taking possession on the right hand side, Anand Gupte squared the ball up to an unmarked Whetton at the top of the D and the 31 year old smashed a venomous shot into the net giving Jean-Paul Danneberg, Germany’s goalkeeping hero from the teams’ last meeting, no chance.
Welch then stepped up and unleashed a laser-like drag flick into the right side of the net to make it 2-0 just before quarter time. Welch’s ninth career goal was one to savour, but the injection from Aran Zalewski and Eddie Ockenden’s trap to allow Welch the opportunity were as exceptional as the finish.
A long aerial ball from Germany almost caught out the Kookaburras defence but they scrambled well to diffuse the danger.
However, the Kookaburras could do little about Gonzalo Peillet’s 23rd minute drag flick, the penalty corner specialist who scored a hat-trick in Germany’s World Cup semi final win over Australia, finding the back of the net again.
Danneberg came to Germany’s rescue when Ben Staines was in on goal as the score remained 2-1 in the Kookaburras’ favour at half time.
James Collins almost unlocked the Germany defence with some superb skill along the baseline before Gupte slid a drag flick just wide of the target early in the last quarter as the Kookaburras looked to give themselves some breathing space.
Kookaburras goalkeeper Johan Durst produced an excellent save to keep out Justus Weigand’s missile as Germany chased an equaliser.
The Kookaburras remained composed and their cause was aided when Germany was reduced to nine players with three minutes to go through a green and yellow card.
Some fine work from Nathan Ephraums to maintain possession and wind down the seconds saw the Kookaburras record their second win of the 2022-23 FIH Pro League season.
“It was a very tough game…Germany are world champions for a reason so we’re pretty happy and will come back ready to go again tomorrow,” said Whetton who was named Player of the Match.
“We played a style of hockey that we are used to tonight. We put some pressure on Germany, got some reward in the attacking circle and defended really well.”
The Kookaburras come up against an in-form India in the final match of the ‘mini tournament’ at the same time tomorrow.
The FIH Pro League is broadcast in Australia on FOX Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo.
Match Details
Germany 1 (Peillet 23’)
Kookaburras 2 (Whetton 12’, Welch 15’)
@ Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela
Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 4.Jake Harvie, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 8.Johan Durst (gk), 9.Jacob Anderson, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 15.Jayden Atkinson, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski (c), 20.Ky Willott, 21.Jack Welch, 26.James Collins, 33.Hayden Beltz, 36.Anand Gupte, 44.Ben Staines, 48.Davis Atkin
Unused substitute: 18.Ben Rennie (gk)
