Western Australia defeat New South Wales 4-3 to lift Australian Hockey League title – Hockey Update
In a an unprecedented move, the host team of New South Wales (NSW) failed to display the best performance, as they lost to West Australian (WA) 4-3 in the grand final of the Australian Hockey League. The exciting contest between NSW and WA was played at
the Sydney Olympic Park, Australia.
Chris O’Reilly, the WA line-up trainer in a pleasing state of mind said that they had idea that they could take NSW down by accomplishing back-to-back strikes. He further said that every player took part in the action as a single unit. However, the selection
or individual awards would be celebrated by everyone. He stated, “Our senior players acted as fantastic role models to the younger members of the side who were exposed to some of the best hockey talent this country produces.”
Larry McIntosh, the NSW Head Coach while talking to the media expressed positivity saying that it was a great chance for the line-up to deliver results in the final week and lift the title, what was they failed to do so in the previous edition of the league.
He said, “Today we were certainly clinical in some sections, but not enough. Our approach to the finals continued to evolve as we factored in the impressive win by ACT over SA, it gave us all a lot to consider heading into our match against Queensland.”
NSW and WA, both the finalist teams were looking quite enraged at the opening of the match and were not ready to make a slight mistake at any front. However, the host team of NSW committed mistakes which paid them in the form of a second defeat in the finals
within two years. On the other side, the Western side played disciplined game to compel NSW to making errors and fouls.
Interestingly, the maiden half of play was dominated by the NSW squad in which they obtained two goals while holding WA only for a single goal. Matthew Butturini managed the first goal of the game in the seventh minute of the mark and put NSW ahead onto
the scorecard. Craig Boyne of Western team though evened the results by marking a goal in the 19th minute, but to no avail. Duncan Pearce converted a short corner in the 29th minute and regained a single goal advantage at the halftime,
2-1.
The Western side cranked their offence in the second set of play and took the game into their favour after thirty-five minutes of play. Same Pike and Brent Dancer scored off one short each in the 37th and 46th minutes. In the later
time, Ian Paterson of NSW converted a short corner and tied the knots at three-each. However, veteran striker of WA Sam Pike availed the final chance in the second last minute to win the match as well as the title of the Australian Hockey League.
Tags: