The Australian Kookaburras must put in a near-perfect performance if they want to improve their position at the Rio Olympics when they take on Belgium, who are firing on all cylinders. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:30am (AEST).
The Kookaburras started their campaign with an unconvincing victory over local rivals New Zealand on the opening day of the Games.
The performance against the Kiwis wouldn’t have filled fans with confidence, and those fears were realised against Spain, losing 2-1.
» Kookaburras vs Belgium match report
Spain weren’t supposed to be tournament heavyweights, but they still found a way to get the better of the Kookaburras. It is a major worry for the Australians – their defence, when put under pressure, is ordinary, and their attack doesn’t look threatening. In fact, Australia have scored just one goal in 97 minutes of hockey, which comes down to a lack of team cohesion.
To make matters worse, mid-fielder Aran Zalewski will miss the clash with suspension, which will heap the pressure on the combination of veterans Mark Knowles and Jamie Dwyer. It’s critical those two get things right if Australia are to improve upon their woeful attacking performances.
Belgium have arguably been the best team so far, recording a pair of thumping wins to get their campaign underway, defeating Great Britain 4-1 and Brazil a massive 12-0.
What’s even more worrying is how much they have been able to share the goal scoring, how aggressive they have been, and the fact that every player looks like they could turn into a major threat at any moment.
However their defence is an unknown quantity at this point, because it simply hasn’t been called into action.
Despite the Belgians’ good form, Australia easily accounted for them last time these sides met, at the Champions Trophy, taking a 2-0 win. In fact, Australia have won seven of the last ten meetings between the sides.
Prediction
Belgium have been on fire, and the Kookaburras haven’t – even a marked improvement may see them struggle.
With the only thing going for the Aussies being a historical edge, that isn’t going to be enough.
Belgium 5-1 Australia
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this important men’s hockey fixture from 9:30am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your comments below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Republican
Guest
We miss Rick Charlseworth as much as anything else.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah sums it up - disappointing for the Kookaburras and plenty of work to do. No problems Dani! Wasn't the best but Belgium were all class.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that wraps up The Roar's live coverage of this Hockey match at the 2016 Rio Olympics as Belgium held on for a 1-0 win against Australia. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Things are still happening here on The Roar so don't go anywhere apart from straight to our live blog of the swimming with Tom Bridge - http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/08/10/olympics-swimming-day-4-womens-200-freestyle-final-live-blog/ I'll be back tonight for both the women's and men's individual time trial events in the cycling before the Boomers take on the USA in the Basketball tomorrow morning. There will be plenty of other sport as well so keep an eye out for that. Bye for now.
DaniE
Roar Guru
No thoughts, just a big sigh ? Thanks for updating Scott - must have been a little painful
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Australian Kookaburras have their work cut out for them if they want to be a force at the Rio Olympics after suffering their second consecutive loss, this time to Belgium in a low scoring 1-0 victory. It is the second game in a row where the Kookaburras have gone down without scoring a goal and serious questions have to start being asked of their attacking poise moving forward. It absolutely must be addressed and improved upon if they want to get over Great Britain in their next match, or be a force in the quarter finals. The goal that was scored came very early in the second quarter to Tanguy Cosysns with a good ball into the circle, then a flick across the face of goal from Gauthier Boccard for the shot to be easily put in the back of the net. The ball into the circle came from Arthur Van Doren, who was arguably the best player on the pitch throughout the course of the game - he was fantastic and was the key reason Belgium were able to control the possession as much as they did. It was Belgium being able to control the possession for much of the match that frustrated the Australian's, and meant they simply couldn't build up any rhythm or momentum to their game. Van Doren was backed up by the likes of Floren Van Aubel, Emmanuel Stockbroekx, Thomas Briels and Simon Gougnard who all had fantastic games in the mid-field helping Belgium to control the possession and game. The goal would turn out to be the penultimate moment in the match with neither team able to capitalise on other opportunities - Australia being particularly wasteful. While Australia had some good moments they just didn't ever string enough passes together in a game that didn't have a high transition rate - Belgium simply dominated. The Kookaburras would work their way into the circle plenty of times throughout the match, but full credit must go to the Belgian defence who were fantastic every time under pressure, getting back in numbers to ensure a good shot never really got off. What is maybe more annoying for Australia is that they wasted a massive five penalty corners. The first couple didn't even look threatening, before one shaved the upright and then they tried something different, trying to set up Jamie Dwyer who was extremely busy all game long but couldn't make anything happen. Others who were busy for Australia were Tim Deavin, Daniel Beale, Glenn Turner and Matthew Swann but none of them could get things going and force any serious pressure on Belgium. So then, Belgium remain undefeated after three matches and are looking starting to look like the team to beat out of Pool A while Australia have plenty of soul searching to do. Final Score Australian Kookaburras 0 Belgium Red Devils 1
Republican
Guest
The signs that they are flat were apparent from the outset in their 1st match v NZ. They won't medal at all while GB will smell blood and account for them accordingly. No Hockey medals for Oz at this Olympics which is disappointing but the rest of the world have caught up and not only in Hockey but across so many of our traditionally strong sports, no more evident in our very poor Swimming performances. It seems that both our Hockey teams have no idea how to score despite commanding so much possession in their games. A coaching issue perhaps or just attitude and a lack of confidence across the forward line?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report from the match to come - thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, you would expect the Kookaburras still might make the quarter-finals, but it will be a fourth place finish at best now. Their next match against Great Britain has just taken on a whole new level of importance.
Scott Pryde
Expert
They were flat out ordinary in this one - just didn't look like scoring even with 5 penalty corners. Credit to Belgium who defended well though.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Well, another poor performance from Australia as the clock counts down. It's another scoreless loss as Knowles wins a free hit and is penalised for it being dangerous. Belgium are on fire, the Kookaburras not so and with a lot of work to do if they want to be a force in this competition. Australian Kookaburras 0 Belgium Red Devils 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Into the final 60 seconds and Belgium controlling possession before a long throw down the court and Australia take it away - they lose it as quickly as they win it though and it is Belgium down the right flank. Australia 0 Belgium 1
DJW
Guest
No goals in two games for the Kookaburras, what is going on.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Australia working it up the middle of the field here and then back to the defenders. Running out of chances but a powerful ball into the circle comes off the foot of Dwyer. Free for Belgium. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' The Australians work it up the right hand side through Dawson and then Knowles who fires a ball towards the circle for Dwyer and it is taken away by Luypaert who can't get out of the corner, but wins a free hit. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Stockbroekx with a good break down the right hand side and they win a corner. Now Van Aubel held up in the corner by the defence and they work back to Cosyns who goes back to Van Aubel towards the circle and he loses it. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Truyens with it and they create a bit of space but nothing happening with Australia going the other way. They work up towards the mid-field and then across to the right. Up to Dwyer now before there are some poor passes and Belgium come up with it once again. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Turner now wins a free hit and they work right before a flick from Deavin is blocked and he gets it back. They go left and then back to the defenders before Deavin is taken by a couple of defenders and wins a free hit. Ockenden with an elevated flick before Swann's shot is blocked. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Into the circle again for Australia but taken away by the defence and they look to get out on a counter attack but good scramble defence and Cavanagh wins a free hit. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' into the circle come Australia now through Whetton and Dwyer. Out numbered again and no shot coming as the ball is taken away over the baseline. Australia 0 Belgium 1
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 7' Dwyer works it down the right and goes to Turner but there is a bit of a scuffle with both Dwyer and Denayer sent to have a sit down with green cards. 10 on 10 for now. Australia 0 Belgium 1