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 result.
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.
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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
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