Goals from Kookaburra young guns Jeremy Hayward and Matthew Dawson sealed a maiden World League hockey crown for Australia with a 2-1 win over Belgium in Raipur.
Man of the Match Hayward’s unstoppable shot into the top-right corner early in the second quarter put Graham Reid’s men in front before Dawson’s drag flick doubled their advantage midway through the third period.
Simon Gougnard scored a late consolation goal for Belgium with an overtime penalty corner rebound.
There was further celebration for the Kookaburras following the match with Jamie Dwyer awarded player of the tournament.
“It was a good effort tonight,” Reid said.
“Again, it was a really good start and we made some opportunities early. We tried a few different tactics tonight and it’s good that they came off.
“It was quite apt that both the guys who scored tonight were our young guys. It’s been a long trip here in India and for them to be able to put it together at the business end is pleasing.”
Reid will announce his Olympic training squad in ten days’ time and said he’d been given plenty of food for thought from this tournament.
“We’ve gathered a hell of a lot of good information while we’ve been in India,” he said.
“We’ve got out of it everything that we wanted and it was fantastic to bring the whole squad here for the Tests before the World League.”
rasty
Guest
Well done kookies! Keep it going all the way to Rio boys! Now for the Hockeyroos.