Hockey World Cup 2018: Australia vs France - 3 Talking Points

Tyler Lovell acknowledges the cheers of the crowd
Tyler Lovell acknowledges the cheers of the crowd

#1 Australia use short corners to nudge the French out

The Aussies are getting their drag-flicks right ahead of the semifinals
The Aussies are getting their drag-flicks right ahead of the semifinals

The Australians who have quite a reputation for punishing the weaker teams with scorelines that resemble a one-sided table tennis match did not attempt to impose themselves on the French but played a thorough and efficient German-style game to nudge the minnows out of the contest.

The Aussies may not have Chris Ciriello to fire in the short corners anymore, but Blake Govers and Jeremy Hayward have ensured that the direct hits, as well as the variations, are just about being perfected ahead of the all-important semifinals.

All three goals came off PCs with the last being engineered with a slick routine that began with a deft back slip and angular forward-pass that was executed with finesse.

The power in the direct hits was phenomenal, and Australia's opponents in the semifinals - India or the Netherlands - have their work cut out as the Kookaburras have been meticulous enough to earn a hattrick of World Cup titles.


Check out the 2018 Hockey World Cup schedule for the upcoming matches here.

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