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Defending champions Australia laid down the gauntlet with a majestic 3-0 victory against England in their Pool B clash at the 2018 Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar.
As one would expect, Australia launched into aggression mode right at the start of the match. However, the pendulum swung wildly in the first quarter itself and England began to make dangerous inroads into the circle.
It was a game of cat-and-mouse in the second quarter as both teams remained wary of each other's attacking prowess. Neither side could convert their penalty corner into a goal and the score read 0-0 at half-time.
The display of staunch defence extended into the third quarter as well. But Australia started to pick up their intensity by controlling possession. There was a shift in momentum although the scoreline still remained goalless.
Australia's persistent pressure paid off in the final quarter. In the 47th minute, Jake Whetton fired them ahead by capitalizing on a brilliant pass. Three minutes later, Blake Govers consolidated their advantage with a stunning reverse strike from inches inside the circle. Corey Weyer's 56th minute field goal was the cherry on top for the Kookaburras.
Here are three reasons why Australia triumphed 3-0 against England.
#3 Unruffled Tyler Lovell keeps England at bay
A quick glance at the scoreline may not reveal the impressive manner in which England played in the first two quarters. Riding on Barry Middleton's creative instincts, they created numerous chances and had quite a few shots on target. However, one man's genius prevented them from taking an early lead.
Among the best goal-keepers in the current circuit, Tyler Lovell gave another demonstration of his incredible awareness under the bar. He got into the groove with a sterling save against a strike from close range. Luck was on the Australian's side as well. On another day, Phil Roper's shot could have smashed into the goal instead of ricocheting off the post.
Lovell's reflexes came to the fore when England threatened from a penalty corner. Mark Gleghorne's drag-flick came hurling at rapid pace. But the 31-year old goalkeeper instinctively protruded his stick from short angle and stopped the shot. That Australia went into half-time without any damage emanated largely from Lovell's experience.
#2 Superior fitness allows Australia to raise intensity progressively
Since the advent of the 60-minute format, many hockey observers wondered if the presence of adequate breaks would help the less athletic teams take on the fittest of sides. On the contrary, the four-quarter format has helped the top teams harness their on-field intensity in a progressive way.
Having appeared on level terms with England at the half-way break, the first signs of Australia breaking away came in the third quarter. Pushing the men forward, the Kookaburras also played the high press game. In doing so, they were quicker on turnovers and consequently piled pressure on the opposition back-line.
As the England players' energy appeared to tone down a notch, Australia picked up pace during the last two quarters. Their passing had more intent and the attackers managed to pierce the circle with ease. The major reason behind the shift in momentum was the Kookaburras' superior and possibly unmatched fitness levels.
#1 Craig and Swann run rings around England defence
Australia finally broke the deadlock in the final quarter when an unmarked Jake Whetton defeated George Pinner. The goal was set up through some exhilarating stick-work from Matthew Swann and Tom Craig. The latter made a tantalizing move along the baseline to render England's defence powerless and fed a through ball to the lurking Whetton.
In the 50th minute, Australia surged ahead through Blake Govers' field goal. Trent Mitton cut through the England defence before his teammate produced an astonishing strike whilst running backwards from a difficult angle at the edge of the circle. The stunning goal virtually sealed the match for the Kookaburras.
Despite scoring twice in the space of three minutes, Australia continued to attack by retaining most of the possession. Unable to penetrate the well-organised Aussie back-line, shoulders began to droop in the England camp. Swann returned to torment them by firing in a clever pass to Corey Weyer who duly found the back of the net to make it 3-0.
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