Australia’s men came from behind twice to get the better of world champions Germany and climb above Argentina at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League standings.
The Kookaburras’ lead may be short-lived, however, with numerous teams still having several games in hand. In the women’s fixture between the two sides, Die Danas pulled off their first victory over the Hockeyroos in regulation time in 14 years in convincing fashion.
China’s women also came back twice to draw with Great Britain, with the hosts then claiming the extra point in the shootout while GB’s men got the better of Spain.
(Women’s) Great Britain 3 – 3 China (SO: 2 – 1)
Hosts Great Britain and China shared the points in a riveting 3-3 draw, with GB claiming a bonus point for a 2-1 win in the shootout. GB had an excellent first half, disrupting China’s preferred structures and taking an early lead with a Tessa Howard deflection from open play. The Chinese had a slightly better second quarter, only to find themselves two down by half time after Anna Toman smashed in a penalty corner to double GB’s lead late in the half.
The Chinese came alive in the third quarter and Zou Meirong pulled one back with a field goal in the 37th minute. Charlotte Watson restored GB’s two-goal cushion with her 49th-minute field goal and as the clock ran down it seemed that’s how it would stay. The Chinese had other ideas though, and goals from Ma Ning and Zhong Jiaqi in the 58th and 59th minutes took the game to a shootout where GB prevailed.
The player of the match went to Elena Rayer of Great Britain who said: “We would have liked to do the job in normal time, probably go back and look at that, lots to look at there, but really proud. It’s all about learning, all about building for the group that goes out to the Olympics this summer.”
(Women’s) Australia 2 – 3 Germany
Germany dominated Australia for a well-deserved 3-2 win, their first in regulation time against the Hockeyroos since 2010. The Australians had the worst possible start, losing their referral in the third minute as Charlotte Stapenhorst fired the Germans in front from open play. Germany continued to create opportunities as they controlled the first half, but Jocelyn Bartram was excellent in goal for the Aussies and kept her team in touch.
Germany started the third quarter well and Nike Lorenz doubled their lead with a 36th-minute drag flick. Lisa Nolte added a penalty corner deflection three minutes later and Germany maintained control of the match deep into the final quarter. Australia had some success in the final 10 minutes though, Alice Arnott giving them hope with a 52nd-minute field goal. The Hockeyroos then missed a couple of chances while a German player served a 5-minute suspension, and Claire Colwill’s successful drag flick four minutes from time got them within striking range. The momentum seemed to have swung in Australia’s favour and the dying minutes were tense, but the Germans remained calm and hung on for the win.
Germany’s Nike Lorenz received the player of the match and reflected on their long wait for a win over Australia: “Obviously the statistics are a bit crazy, but I’m very proud of how we played today and the win is definitely deserved.”
(Men’s) Great Britain 2 – 1 Spain
Hosts Great Britain showed tremendous grit in their 2-1 win against a rampant Spanish outfit. Both teams created circle entries in a goalless first half, but the momentum was very much with Spain as they dominated possession and territory, looked very comfortable in defence, and threatened the GB goal repeatedly with quick counterattacks.
Spain pegged GB back again for long periods in a dominant third quarter and it was only an outstanding performance from James Mazarelo in goal for GB that kept the scores level. The home side then found the opening goal in the 45th minute, Conor Williamson reacting fastest to an unsuccessful Spanish clearance at the p-spot. Spain kept coming though and Marc Miralles equalised with a 49th-minute drag flick, only for Alan Forsyth to restore GB’s lead with a classy field goal a minute later. Spain chased all the way to the final hooter but, having dominated 75 per cent of the match, they simply couldn’t find the goals they needed for a result.
GB goalkeeper James Mazarelo was named player of the match and said: “Really tough game for us, we knew Spain would come out hard and we knew we had to put in a massive defensive shift, and so I’m proud of all the boys. Couldn’t fault the effort, and some of the quality in defence was just outstanding.”
(Men’s) Germany 2 – 3 Australia
Lachlan Sharp celebrated his 100th cap for Australia as they came from behind twice to pip Germany 3-2 at the death, moving to top spot in the standings in the process. It was a high-quality match with Australia dominating all the statistics in the first half, pegging the Germans back for long periods and making dangerous circle entries. However, it was Germany who took the lead thanks to Moritz Ludwig’s penalty corner deflection. Jake Whetton then equalised for Australia just before half time.
The Germans had a much better second half and Gonzalo Peillat reclaimed their lead with a sizzling low drag flick early in the third quarter. The Australians continued to look dangerous and drew level for the second time, a penalty corner slip to Tim Howard on the left side yielding results with just four minutes left to play. It looked like the match was headed to a shootout, but Eddie Ockenden’s 59th-minute penalty corner deflection gave Australia the win.
The player of the match was awarded to Jake Whetton of Australia who said: “We’ve got a lot of belief in this team no matter what time of the game it is or what the score is, we stick to what we know and hopefully come out on the top end at most times. But it’s nice to be able to come from behind, or hopefully keep a lead.”
Top Scorer Armband
To celebrate the talented goal-scorers throughout the season the FIH has introduced the Top Scorer Armband, which is being worn by the leading goal-scorers in the men's and women's competitions in the current season, as a visual mark for the fans, and for the players to wear proudly, match after match.
Current Top Scorers:
Women - Yibbi Jansen (NED) (15 goals)
Men – Blake Govers (AUS) / Jip Janssen (NED) / Harmanpreet Singh (IND) (12 goals)
FIH Hockey Pro League – 11 June 2024
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London (UK)
WOMEN
Result: Match 61 (W)
Great Britain 3 - 3 China (SO: 2 - 1)
Player of the match: Elena Rayer (GBR)
Umpires: Cookie Tan (SGP), Laurine Delforge (BEL), Magali Sergeant (BEL-video)
Result: Match 62 (W)
Australia 2 - 3 Germany
Player of the match: Nike Lorenz (GER)
Umpires: Ivona Makar (CRO), Magali Sergeant (BEL), Martin Madden (SCO-video)
MEN
Result: Match 61 (M)
Great Britain 2 - 1 Spain
Player of the match: James Mazarelo (GBR)
Umpires: Sébastien Michielsen (BEL), Coen Van Bunge (NED), Michiel Otten (NED-video)
Result: Match 62 (M)
Germany 2 - 3 Australia
Player of the match: Jake Whetton (AUS)
Umpires: Martin Madden (SCO), Ahmed Elsayed (EGY), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL-video)
