The Kookaburras and Hockeyroos have won the inaugural International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne over the weekend.
It wasn’t the tournament the Kookaburras were prioritising at the start of 2016, but a 3-1 win over New Zealand in the final has begun the healing process after the team’s shock quarterfinal exit at the Rio Olympics.
The world No.1 Australians, featuring VIS athlete Casey Hammond, were undefeated through the round robin phase of the four-team event at the State Hockey and Netball Centre. Despite missing many Rio Olympians, they fought past their arch rivals in a hotly contested clash against the Kiwis.
Meanwhile the Hockeyroos, featuring VIS athletes Georgia Nanscawen and Laura Barden, defeated India 3-1 in the third and decisive match on Sunday.
With the series level at one game all, both India and Australia began on an attacking note with each team looking to strike first. India were first to score in the 17th minute, and maintained their 1-0 lead going into halftime. However, the Aussies stepped up their game in the second half, finding the back of the net on 3 occasions.
In other hockey news, the U21 Australian women’s hockey team, the Jillaroos, commenced their Junior World Cup campaign in Santiago, Chile overnight. The Jillaroos, opened the tournament with a flawless 7-0 victory over South Africa, with two goals from VIS athlete Sophie Taylor.
They backed up their opening win with a 1-1 draw against England in game two of the overnight. England got off to a great start by converting a penalty corner opportunity in the fourth minute. The Jillaroos chased England, applying pressure throughout the remainder of the first half and were rewarded in the second half at the 43rd minute with a penalty corner conversion to tie the score at 1-1.
Both teams were fighting to try to get the upper hand and come through with the win, but the siren sounded at the 70th minute leaving the final score a draw.
The Jillaroos next play Chile at the Junior World Cup on Monday the 28th November at 10am AEST.
