Australia secure two wins at day 2 of the AYOF

Australia has had a very successful day of hockey at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, with both the men's and women's teams recording impressive victories.

Big hits from the Australian men in the opening minutes of their match were not enough to secure an early goal, or to prevent the quick Malaysians from making breaks down-field.

A yellow card against Australian Tristan White in the sixth minute didn't affect the performance of the Australians, whose energy and competitive attitude allowed them most possession early in the match.

Coach and former national hockey player Jason Duff said 'we weren't clean and clinical, but we've been working hard at our strategies'.

Malaysia scored their first goal off a penalty corner awarded in the 15th minute, with a strong push from Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Gaffar. The Malaysians were not so lucky five minutes later with a strong attempt on goal well guarded by Australia's goal keeper Scott Garner.

Strong stick work from Australia's Trent Mitton was instrumental in securing Australia an opportunity to score in the 21st minute, but timing was not on the Australian team's side.

Malaysia was quick to clear the ball when threatened by Australia's forward line, preventing the Aussies from making their mark before half time.

Australia returned to the field rejuvenated and ready to score in the second half of the match, but the slippery turf proved a challenge for all players moving at speed.

Two phenomenal saves from the Malaysian keeper set the Australians back in the 42nd minute, but Australia managed to put a goal away just one minute later in a scramble at the Malaysian goal.

Still reeling from their equalising goal, Australian Kieren Govers was punished with a yellow card in the 49th minute, leaving gaps in the Australian defence.

But the Australians recovered quickly, with a speedy and exciting goal from Govers in the 60th minute to put them ahead of their opponents.

An injury in the final minutes was an upset for the large Malaysian contingency in the stands, and nothing could stop the Australians from coming away with a win in the fast and furious match.

The Australian women immediately set the pace of their second AYOF match against India, but missed a couple of crucial opportunities to score in the opening minutes.

The Indians were strong in their attack, and quick on their feet, forcing the Australian backs to work hard defending their goal.

The Indian team was awarded a short corner in the 27th minute, but the Australian defence prevented them from putting the first goal on the board.

Some strong teamwork on the right wing from the Aussies was rewarded with a short corner in the 32nd minute, resulting in a yellow card for India's Rani Rampal.

In the final minute of the first half, Australian Karina Lucas scored a much needed goal off a short corner to take the half time score to 1-0.

The 40th minute saw the Aussies manage to increase their margin over India with a goal from Georgina Parker with Indian keeper Jasdeep Kaur Thind leaving her goal vulnerable to attack.

Australian Marnie Hudson powered the ball into India's goal in the 48th minute, but the Australian celebration was short-lived, as a lapse in focus allowed India to score just seconds afterwards.

After an unsuccessful Australian shot at goal from a penalty stroke, the Indian women demonstrated their prowess on the field with a quick deflection off Binita Xess' stick for India's second goal.

In the final minutes of the match, Australia clamoured for more possession and looked sure to score in the final minute, but settled for their second win of the AYOF campaign over India 3-2.

In other matches played today, the Great Britain women defeated the USA 4-1 while the Great Britain men lost to India 6-1.

In the women's match Great Britain broke the scoreless start in the 23rd minute when Sophie Bray put away a great stroke. Ten minutes later it was a penalty corner to Great Britain's Jenny Hall to take a 2-0 half time lead.

Four minutes in the second half, White took a high shot at goal that beat the keeper. The goal was awarded with the USA team left waiting for the dangerous call from the umpire.

At 3-0 down, USA got their first goal of the tournament, courtesy of a goal keeper fumble from a Drazdowski shot.

Great Britain had a reverse stick shot on goal disallowed but put the final one away in the 61st minute after a scrappy short corner.

While the Great Britain women were impressive, the same could not be said for the Great Britain men against India.

A short corner in the 7th minute saw the first goal to India from captain Diwakar, but the British fought back with big hits and strong teamwork, putting pressure on India to maintain their lead.

Goalkeeper Ian Scanlon showed brilliance in defence during several short corners awarded to India in the first half, but was unable to stop India improving their lead in the 16th minute after a penalty stroke was awarded against Great Britain.

With the score at 2-0, Great Britain retaliated with some fast attacks on goal and retaining possession by forcing errors from the Indian team.

But in the 25th minute, a short corner allowed India's Danish Mujjaba to score another for his team, just before the heavy rain and strong winds set in at the Hockey Centre.

A short corner in the final minute of the first half provided a window of opportunity for Great Britain, but a fantastic save from Indian goal keeper Mrinal Chaubey stopped them putting in a goal.

India showed no signs of fatigue at the beginning of the second half, scoring quickly in the 37th minute off a short corner.

Another Indian short corner in the 46th minute gave Great Britain another goal to chase, still yet to score a point.

Great Britain managed their first goal in the 65th minute, but the pace of the Indian team was too much for the British, and their score it was quickly followed by another goal for India to take out the match 6-1.

Day 2 AYOF - Women

Australia - India 3-2 (1-0)

Australia - Lucas 35m PC, Parker 40m FG, Hudson 47m FG

India - Xess 48m FG/ 57m PC

Great Britain - USA 4-1 (2-0)

Great Britain - S Bray FG 23m, J Hall PC 33m/FG 62m, N White FG 39m

USA - E Drazdowski FG 48m

Day 2 AYOF - Men

Australia - Malaysia 2-1 (0-1)

Australia - Ellis 44m FG, Govers 60m FG

Malaysia - Abdul Hamid 15m PC

India - Great Britain 6-1 (3-0)