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Steph Kershaw

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Hockeyroos end their Indian tour of the 2023-24 FIH Pro League with back-to-back losses v India and Netherlands

by Sports Benches

It wasn’t the weekend the Hockeyroos wanted having lost both to India (1-0 on Saturday) and the Netherlands (3-1 last night) from the weekend, but they came out there to put out a fight, especially in defense where they made opposition teams difficult to score. We wished they could do better in attack but then they’re up against teams that are extremely high standard, which is going to be so difficult through the pitch. There’s another plus to take out with Steph Kershaw being so good up front when taking penalty corners and can strike a few goals for the benefit of the Hockeyroos team here & there. Plus, shoutout to Yibbi Jansen from the other end in the Oranje who simply never stopped scoring thanks to another hat-trick haul.

Now our women’s team will be heading back home after they’ve picked up some good wins over the last two weeks during their Indian tour before resuming their next FIH Pro League campaign come May in Antwerp, Belgium. In the meantime, there’s always the Kookaburras men’s team to cheer on, who is still yet undefeated so far going into the their next game v Spain again on Wednesday.

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2023-24 FIH Pro League, the Men’s Kookaburras team fired off with back-to-back wins while the Women’s Hockeyroos answer their opening 3-0 loss with a 2-0 win v China

by Sports Benches

Field Hockey goes on and on over the last couple of days with the Men’s Kookaburras team started their 2023-24 FIH Pro League season from Sunday with back-to-back wins against Spain and Ireland while the Hockeyroos had a few days off at the same time after their huge 6-2 loss against the Netherlands last Friday before they finished off their opening game payback v China last night. In the first men’s game, the Kookaburras were way out in front thanks to a wonderful start 0-3 earlier on before Spain has held them back in between the half-time breaks during the 3rd quarter at 3-3 apiece. Fortunately, we were able to escape the Spanish unscathed in the end 3–4 thanks to a game-winning strike upfront by Lachlan Sharp, who got his 2nd goal into the net with eight minutes to go (4th quarter). Two days later, they made even more winning progress – having led comfortably 3-0 in the 1st half before they collected two more including another Kye Willott finisher to make up a thumping 5-0 win v Ireland. And last but not least, the Hockeyroos have returned for their 2nd Indian leg yesterday where the game might be quiet for nearly the first half but they at least got away with two goals back from their opening game defeat before last week v China. Grace Stewart has scored once again as many goals per match now & Steph Kershaw finished off her side’s quick counter-attacking play for the 2nd even against without a goalkeeper involved with a clean strike into the net.

Now there’s a huge double-header tonight with the Hockeyroos starting the day early v USA again before the Kookaburras take on India later on during midnight our time in the hope of continuing their unbeaten run for win No.3 so far this week.

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The Stewart’s continued to shine for the Hockeyroos but the whole pitch still has the No.1 Netherlands side written all over it

by Sports Benches

It was a very tough day in the office last night after the Hockeyroos were beaten so bad by the top-ranked & free scoring Netherlands team. The Netherlands have started off well who scored three goals in the first two quarters before Tatum Stewart snatched one back for the Hockeyroos ahead of half-time at 3-1. Unfortunately, the Hockeyroos fell way behind later on where the Dutch kept on scoring with their extended lead during the 2nd half. Marjin Veen got away with a hat-trick while midfielder Yibbi Jansen continued to score as always with two off the penalty corner. Yes, another Stewart in Grace have added the 2nd consolation goal for the Hockeyroos herself in the 4th & final Quarter on what has been her third goal this week like the other Stewart in Tatum. But again, a tough pill swallow against a very strong & powerful Dutch side with the loss by 6-2. 

Marjin Veen is such a goal scoring machine where a mistake of two or a missed scoring opportunity from the opposition would give her the benefit to ruin them in return following her first International career hat-trick. She’s got a great eye right in front of goal every time the ball was given to her where Veen wanted it so badly from her own numbers in the final third attack before she has the licence to thrill to finish it off past the keeper with credit to their possession. There’s another goal Dutch scoring machine in the middle of the park of Yibbi Jansen, especially when it comes to penalty corners off the back from Hockeyroos’ ill-discipline with two goals to her name where she struck really well like a rocket. She too would’ve liked to get a hat-trick herself but Jansen will ensure that the Dutch will keep on firing with lots of goal scoring chances for the team including some for herself on top of the benchmark with 11 goals this season. And finally, so sorry to the Hockeyroos where they defended hard against the No.1 team but some missed finishing chances also turned the favour to the Dutch after the huge loss. Hats off to Steph Kershaw up front having gave two goals to the Stewart’s – one for Tatum via the penalty corner & another for Grace later on when she found some space through the channels. It’s just not her day where things could’ve been better if her team successfully converted all chances into goals that would the Hockeyroos a fighting chance v the Dutch, but again they are a team that is unstoppable & it’s up to them to respond before coming back with confidence next time around.

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