Australia can confirm their spot in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games hockey tournament when they take on Canada, who must win to save their campaign. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:30pm (AEST).
The Kookaburras have started their Commonwealth Games campaign in fine form. Searching for a fifth straight gold medal, Mark Knowles and his men haven’t put a foot wrong.
Starting off against South Africa on Saturday, they took some time to get into their work before running away with the contest in the third quarter, ending with a 4-0 victory.
Their ability to create opportunities was superb, although the execution was lacking at times.
They had no such issues in a 6-1 rout of Scotland during their second game, picking up where they left off against South Africa and never looking back.
A majority of the team appear to be in form, but many opportunities and their dominance when it comes to possession is being sparked by a defensive line, along with Daniel Meale and Trent Mitton.
Mitton scored a double in the first game, while Aran Zalewski has also been working hard in the middle of the field.
Their Canadian opponents today are on their last chance. Having lost one and won the other, they will need a win over Australia to stay in contention for a semi-final spot, with Australia and New Zealand looking like they will qualify easily.
Canada would need to not only win today, but win their final game while hoping for a big margin in Australia and New Zealand’s final match square-off. They will need a for-and-against turnaround of 12 with Australia or 16 with New Zealand. It’s unlikely, but it will mean Canada have nothing to lose and should come out all guns blazing in this one.
The North American outfit were thumped 6-2 by New Zealand in their first game, not being in the contest at any point, before beating South Africa 1-0 in a scrappy affair.
Prediction
The Kookaburras should dominate this game. It may not be quite as easy as their triumphs over South Africa and Scotland, but it’ll still be a convincing victory both on the scoreboard and in the contest.
Australia 3 – Canada 0.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Kookaburras match from 4:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon for The Roar's live coverage of the 2018 Commowealth Games. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back in an hour and a half for Night 6 of the swimming and again tomorrow at 4:30pm (AEST) for live coverage of the Kookaburras clash with New Zealand. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Australia almost found their way to another goal on the bell there, but nothing comes of it as Canada scramble back in defence. The horn goes off in the background and that'll do it. Ripping performance from Australia and they are into the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games without raising a sweat, running up a combined score of 14-1 across their three games. The game against New Zealand tomorrow is more or less a dead rubber, but they will still be keen to beat a higher quality opposition. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Shot on goal from Hayward here, but it's saved. The deflection heads back to Hayward who controls to Whetton. He looks to slap from an angle, but it goes over the top of the goal. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Australia going on the attack now. Whetton finds the foot of a defender as he flicked it into the circle and it'll be a penalty corner coming up. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Canada with a chance, but a great save from Lovell. He has been superb since replacing Charter at the start of the second half here. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Australia now working it into the circle from the right-hand side, but they give it away and Canada now go on the counter. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Bit of a tangle as Canada go on the attack here. They win a free kick, but then make a meal of it as the ball goes over the baseline in the face of some pretty strong defence. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Johnston with some good defence here, but Canada still have the same problem they have experienced for most of this match. Stuck in the corner again. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' - GOAL AUSTRALIA, TRENT WHETTON Well, Australia were working it around the defensive line, but that's wonderfully built. Into the circle goes Harvey at the baseline and he flicks it across to Whetton who has to set, then hit it with a backhand slap into the bottom corner of the net. Australia 4 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' Right, I think whatever issues I was having have been more or less resolved. Anyway, it's Australia working it around the back of the field here, just trying to hold possession as this game heads to the end. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 10' Apologies, just having a few issues with the stream. Anyway, it's been pretty end to end. Canada with a shot on goal there, but a great save from Lovell. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 14' Knowles throws it forward, but Beale can't handle it and Canada will pick up possession. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 14' Australia get us underway through Beale in the final quarter. They will work it around the backcourt. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
THREE QUARTER TIME That'll be all the third quarter wrote. Not a heap going on either way here, Australia trying to stay in possession and hence, in charge of this match. Canada had one raid forward, a ball going over the baseline, before Canada got a ball in their defensive circle before time ran out. Australia well and truly ahead. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 2' Turnovers both ways now as the game goes a little more end-to-end action. Johnston with some good defensive work for Canada. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 3' This pressing defence from Australia is causing the visitors all sorts of problems here. They win a free this time though to get out of the corner. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 4' Australia still look the more dominant team here, but just struggling to finish off on anything right at the moment. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 6' Kirkpatrick has ran into Craig's shoulder here. He will head off with a head knock - it's cut him open in fact. Australia 3 Canada 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 6' Well, the shot was on target from Edwards that time, but it's been saved and Canada go on the counter attack, but manage to turn it over. They butchered that. Australia 3 Canada 0