Govers Bags a Hat-Trick For Kookaburras

The Australian men’s hockey team have secured an early quarter-final berth, with a statement 5-0 victory over New Zealand in Paris.

Heat measures were enforced as the two teams played under the scorching European sun and Australia were ready to match it, dazzling with red hot goal-scoring form and determined to secure their spot in the knockouts.

A Blake Govers hat-trick and a repeat clean sheet performance by Aussie goalkeeper Andrew Charter ensured New Zealand’s campaign would come to an abrupt end, all while reinjecting Australia’s confidence following a tough loss to Belgium.

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Striker Tom Wickham opened the Kookaburras charge in the second quarter, his fine deflection finishing off a thunderous strike from skipper Aran Zalewskiat the top of the circle.

Wickham’s goal kickstarted a blistering second quarter double which ignited Govers, who is a NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete, to score the first goal of his hat trick as he finished off some fine play from Lachlan Sharp and Tom Wickham as they put on a clinic.

New Zealand had their chances but they couldn’t break the Australian defence, nor could they get past keeper Andrew Charter, just days away from bringing up his 250th match for Australia.

In the fourth, it was the Blake Govers show as Australia finally earned their first penalty corners. Govers delivered twice to see his side race away to a dominant 5-0 win and finish on a tournament high with six goals from four matches.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to win corners, and we also pride ourselves on our ability to score and execute in our corner,” Tom Wickham said.

“Blakey scored two today from the penalty corner. We’ve got a number of guys that can step up in those moments and it was great to get the result today.”

Australia take on India in the final pool match of the tournament tomorrow, another solid win would ensure them a favourable quarter-final match-up next week.

“We’re a really fit team. We will recover really well. We’ll be fine and ready to play back-to-back,” Tom said.

“With the heat, you’ve got to expect it’s going to be exciting hockey and the game is going to open up because of that pressure on physical conditioning. So we have to be ready for that, as do other teams, and we’ll use that to our advantage.”

Match Details
Kookaburras: 5 (Tom Wickham 22’, Blake Govers 25’, 51’ & 57’, Ky Willott 42’)
New Zealand: 0 

Article courtesy of the AOC