Unbeaten Australia have been held to their first draw of the FIH Hockey Pro League by India on the penultimate day of the mini-tournament in Rourkela. 

The Kookaburras held their nerve to outgun the hosts within the ensuing shootout, nonetheless.

Earlier within the day, an Alvaro Iglesias hat-trick noticed Spain wrapping up their mini-tournament on a optimistic be aware, with an enormous 7-0 victory over Ireland.

(Men’s) Spain 7 – 0 Ireland

Alvaro Iglesias celebrated the primary hat-trick of his nine-year worldwide profession to information Spain to a 7-0 hammering of Ireland. The Irish earned two penalty nook alternatives inside two minutes of the push-back however they didn’t capitalise. The Red Sticks then unpicked Ireland’s defence twice within the opening quarter. José Basterra opened the scoring within the third minute, ending sharply off his reverse stick as Ireland didn’t clear their circle. Alvaro Iglesias made it two with a chic deflection instantly in entrance of Jamie Carr, giving the keeper no likelihood to regulate his line. Ireland had an excellent second quarter and Luis Calzado had loads of work to do within the Spanish purpose, however the rating remained 2-0 to Spain at half-time.

Spain took full management within the third quarter, throwing the ball round patiently and continuously probing the Irish defences. Iglesias prolonged their lead with a tap-in behind the keeper within the 31st minute, and Eduard De Ignacio-Simo confirmed wonderful abilities to complete 4 minutes later with Irish defenders respiratory down his neck. The Red Sticks have been rampant within the last quarter. Borja Lacalle punched in off a rebound from the publish man’s stick within the 47th, and Iglesias pounced on a unfastened ball to finish his hat-trick within the 50th. Marc Reyne then made it 7-0 with the faintest deflection from a tough ball into the circle to wrap up the emphatic victory.

The participant of the match went to Spainard Alvaro Iglesias who mirrored on his first hat-trick, saying: “First I’m happy, but the most important thing was to win the game and finish this part of the Pro League in the best way, and I think we did it pretty well.”

(Men’s) India 2 – 2 Australia (SO: 0 – 3)

Hosts India and Australia performed out an exciting 2-2 draw to seize a degree every, with the Australians then occurring to win the shootout 3-0 and declare a bonus level. The Kookaburras couldn’t discover a purpose from their early dominance, and it was Harmanpreet Singh who put the Indians forward within the 20th minute, beating the publish man with a well-placed drag flick. Blake Govers responded with a penalty stroke for Australia three minutes later, and Johan Durst made some good saves within the Australian purpose to maintain issues degree. Amit Rohidas ultimately put a drag flick previous the publish man simply earlier than half-time for a 2-1 Indian lead.

Both groups seemed harmful within the third quarter though neither may produce something greater than half-chances till the ultimate minute, and it was Durst who pulled off an excellent save to disclaim India. It remained anyone’s recreation going into the ultimate interval and the Kookaburras requested loads of questions. Sreejesh saved a penalty stroke, his defence ran down a penalty nook, and the Indians made a number of profitable video referrals on defence, however Tom Craig delivered what appeared an inevitable equaliser with seven minutes remaining. Australia had the momentum however couldn’t discover a winner and it ended 2-2. Durst then saved all of India’s makes an attempt within the shootout to provide the Aussies a 3-0 win.

Australian goalkeeper Johan Durst acquired the participant of the match award and mentioned: “There’s a lot of work at training, we’re always doing our scouting, and always looking for ways to improve our game so I think I really have to thank our Australian strikers for sharpening me up. It’s probably one of the most incredible hockey experiences you ever have playing India in India, you never get a crowd as big as this or as loud or as entertaining so it’s always a special memory.”

Top Scorer Armband

To have a good time the proficient goal-scorers all through the season the FIH has launched the Top Scorer Armband, which is being worn by the main goal-scorers within the males’s and ladies’s competitions within the present season, as a visible mark for the followers, and for the gamers to put on proudly, match after match.

Current Top Scorers:

Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (15 objectives)

Men – Jip Janssen (NED) (11 objectives)

To see the present standings within the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here. 

FIH Pro League – 24 February 2024 

Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela (IND)

Result: Match 29 (M)
Spain 7 – 0 Ireland
Player of the match: Alvaro Iglesias (ESP)
Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS), Gareth Greenfield (NZL), Junko Wagatsuma (JPN-video)

Result: Match 30 (M)
India 2 – 2 Australia (SO: 0 – 3)
Player of the match: Johan Durst (AUS)
Umpires: Martin Madden (SCO), David Tomlinson (NZL), Gareth Greenfield (NZL-video)