Maiden double for Willott as Kookaburras sweep Malaysia
Published Thu 28 Apr 2022
The Kookaburras’ 3-0 win over Malaysia this afternoon will long live in the memory of attacker Ky Willott after he scored a maiden double to see off a stubborn Malaysia in the fourth and final match of the series in Perth.
The 21 year old from Newcastle, who is one of the Kookaburras’ four new squad additions this year, struck his first international goal in the 42nd minute before repeating the dose in the last quarter.
Jeremy Hayward broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, continuing his rich vein of scoring form as he finished with five goals for the series.
The Kookaburras scored 18 goals across the four match series but just as pleasingly, did not concede a solitary goal against the world number 11 ranked Malaysians.
In a further boost, Kookaburras co-captain Aran Zalewski came in for his first match of the series after recovering from a calf injury.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the opening half, although Craig Marais went inches away from scoring his first goal as a Kookaburra but his effort was cleared off the line.
Malaysia also had their share of half chances, a crucially timed tackle from fellow new Kookaburras addition James Collins foiling a threatening opportunity from the visitors three minutes before half time.
After Marais won the Kookaburras a penalty corner early in the second half, Hayward eventually broke the Malaysian shackles when he literally sent his drag flick through the net.
Following some initial confusion, the goal was given as the umpires added another layer of netting to the back of the goal.
From there the Kookaburras started to assert their authority and another penalty corner allowed Willott to capitalise on a set move to fire home his first goal for his country at senior level.
Willott then followed it up in the 52nd minute with a well taken drag flick that went low and left of Malaysian goalkeeper Adrian Albert into the backboard.
“Today was a tougher match…Malaysia turned it up a notch and really tested us,” said Willott who debuted in Match 1 and played every match of the series.
“It was nice to get on the score sheet and all the boys got around me when the first one went in so hopefully there are plenty more to come.”
Next up for the Kookaburras is a 4-match Trans-Tasman Series against New Zealand in Auckland starting on 10 May.
Match Details
Kookaburras 3 (Hayward 34’, Willott 42’/53’)
Malaysia 0
@ Perth Hockey Stadium
Kookaburras: 5.Tom Wickham, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 9.Jacob Anderson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 14.Dylan Martin, 15.Josh Simmonds, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski, 18.Ben Rennie (gk), 19.Craig Marais, 20.Ky Willott, 21.Jack Welch, 22.Flynn Ogilvie, 26.James Collins, 30.Andrew Charter (gk), 32.Jeremy Hayward
