CTT09 x DAY5 x AUS v SPN

13 goals.

That’s what happened when Spain played Australia just minutes ago.

It’s hard to write about a game when one team wins so emphatically as to a scoreline of 10 to 3, which is what Australia pulled out for the last of the pool matches.  The Aussies knew they were as good as in the final, but flirting with form is always dangerous.  The stadium is close to full and a light cover of cloud provided a create set of conditions for the spectacle that was to come.

The first half of the game was actually pretty straight forward, in relation to what we’ve been treated here. Australia was able to run and carry the ball pretty much at will through the middle lead by youngsters Orchard and Butturini. The Spanish were playing more of a counter attack type if game with a middle ground press working well.

In the 21st minute of the game the scoring was opened when Shubert popped in a deflected shot.  It was contested by the Spanish and over-ruled to the delight of the crowd. Spain was no longer with the ability to contest a decision.

Three minutes later Eddie Tubau broke through for the Spanish, capitalising on some great pressure defence and scored to level the scores. When two minutes further on again Pol Amat scored a great running, weaving goal the Spanish looked in control and the Aussies on the back foot.

Right on the click of half time, the Kookas won a Short Corner and Luke Doerner converted it calmly to take them into the half-time break even and with a little momentum going their way. Ric Charlesworth said in the press conference, “It was vital for our momentum”.

Off the restart the Aussie full ground press was back on, and more aggressive than ever. It has seemed to be a thread through the tournament, after Half time the Kookas have been able to adjust their pressure defence and shut down the opposition in the second half.

Five minutes in, Dwyer was shoved off the ball in the circle to win a Penalty Stroke. Shubert stood and up made it count to notch up his second.  Straight off the restart the Spanish found a couple of gaps through long passing and won and then converted a Short Corner.

That’s the last we saw of the Spanish attack. The Aussie press was too strong and when Doerner netted his second from another flick the flood gates opened in the 51st. Dwyer’s run and diving pass created a goal for Gryphon Gun Fergus Kavanagh (2 goals), which was quickly reversed when Fergus passed a lovely ball to Jamie to score himself.

The win firmly places the Aussies with at the top of the table with Germany to play Holland.

Goal scorers for Australia:  Kavanagh x 2, Doerner x 2, Shubert x 2, Turner x 2, Dwyer, Ockenden

Photos: Daniel Carson | dcimages.org