Professional League: Kookaburras Quartet Make Debut In Slim Loss To World Champions’

The Kookaburras have been edged out 1-0 by world champions Germany within the FIH Professional League in Rourkela tonight as Hayden Beltz, Anand Gupte, Ben Staines and Davis Atkin grew to become the newest gamers to debut for Australia’s iconic nationwide males’s hockey staff.

It was a particular second for the quartet as they ran out for his or her first senior worldwide match in entrance of a full home at Birsa Munda Stadium in opposition to the staff that was not too long ago topped world champions.

Finally, an eighth minute strike from Germany’s Malte Hellwig was all that separated the groups in a prepared contest, the Kookaburras ending strongly however unable to grab an equaliser.

The Kookaburras began the sport on the entrance foot with their midfield press turning possession over a number of instances, nevertheless it was Germany who created the primary clear opening and scored as a robust hit by Malte Hellwig blasted previous Rennie within the Kookaburras purpose and struck the highest left nook of the backboard giving the world champions the lead.

Australia piled on the strain however Germany’s defence held sturdy of their slim form contained in the circle to maintain Australia out as the primary quarter got here to an finish.

Second quarter continued from the place the primary quarter left off as Australia continued their seek for the equaliser however Germany remained disciplined in defence. Australia’s greatest likelihood got here halfway via the quarter as a cross from the appropriate by Collins simply required a contact by Ephraums in entrance of the purpose, however the deflection by Ephraums got here off his foot as a substitute of stick. Australia received their first penalty nook with 5 minutes left within the half however Danneberg within the purpose for Germany, made the save. Jack Welch compelled one other save out of Danneberg with a robust hit from the highest of the circle and Hinrichs was sharp in gathering the rebound and clearing.

Germany and Australia exchanged possibilities early within the second half. Bosserhoff’s hit into the circle wanted a slight contact from diving Kleinlein however he missed. Australia then had a unbelievable alternative off a German turnover with Sharp getting off a shot from the highest of the circle, however Ephraums tried deflection took the ball away from the purpose. The third quarter failed to supply a purpose regardless of the excessive depth as Australia’s seek for an equaliser and Germany’s seek for a cushion continued into the ultimate fifteen minutes.

Australia received a penalty nook with 10 minutes left within the recreation as Ephraums shot from shut vary was blocked by Danneberg however the ball acquired caught beneath his leg and Australia had a possibility. It was Welch who took on the nook however his shot was run down brilliantly by Tom Grambusch.

Australia received one other penalty nook a number of seconds later, however a unbelievable double save by Danneberg continued to frustrate the Kookaburras.

Danneberg continued thwarting Australian assaults, pulling off saves from a drag flick by Gupte and a tomahawk by Marais to maintain Germany forward with 5 minutes left within the recreation.

With 15 seconds left within the recreation Australia mustered one remaining likelihood via a penalty nook, however Danneberg saved once more and earned Germany a win and all three factors.

The Kookaburras return to the pitch 24 hours later to tackle hosts India at 12.30am AEDT.

The FIH Professional League is broadcast in Australia on FOX Sports activities, obtainable on Foxtel and Kayo.

Match Particulars
Kookaburras 0
Germany 1 (Hellwig 8’)
@ Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela

Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 4.Jake Harvie, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 9.Jacob Anderson, 10.Josh Beltz, 11.Eddie Ockenden, 12.Jake Whetton, 16.Tim Howard, 17.Aran Zalewski (c), 18.Ben Rennie (gk), 19.Craig Marais, 21.Jack Welch, 26.James Collins, 33.Hayden Beltz, 36.Anand Gupte, 44.Ben Staines, 48.Davis Atkin
Unused substitute: 8.Johan Durst (gk)

Workforce Line-ups