Australia’s under 21 men’s hockey team has warmed up for December’s Junior World Cup by winning the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.
Six Victorians were part of the Burras 20-man squad who defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the final on Sunday night.
The Australians led the scoring for the tournament with 30 goals across six games, including a 9-1 demolition of New Zealand in the pool stage.
Olympian Blake Govers, already a 38-capped member of Australia’s senior team, the Kookaburras, and Tom Craig with 24 caps, led competition scoring with six goals each.
Victorian and Doncaster striker Kiran Arunasalam was awarded player of the tournament, and said the win was a great way to cap off the lead up to the Junior World Cup.
“It’s a pretty cool achievement but means nothing without the team and the team’s success,” he said.
“The team is gelling really well and starting to really feel more like a family than a team.”
Victorians Andrew Scanlon, Altona Hockey Club, Jono Bretherton, MCC, Arunasalam, Stephen Gale, Hawthorn, Josh Simmonds, Doncaster, and Max Hendry, Camberwell, were members of the victorious Burras team.
Next for the Burras is a camp in Melbourne at the end of November before leaving for the World Cup, which runs from December 8 to 18 in Lucknow, India.
rasty
Guest
It certainly does. Such a shame the game does not attract more fans, it's such an awesome sport.
Republican
Guest
.....depth in the ranks. This augers well for the game here, to be sure.