The Australian U21 men’s hockey team, the Burras, began their campaign at the Junior World Cup with a 2-1 win against Argentina, after their initial game against Korea was postponed due to heavy fog in Lucknow, India.
Australia started the game by putting intense pressure on Argentina and maintaining possession for much of the first half of the game. Twenty one minutes into the match, VIS athlete Kiran Arunasalam kicked off the goal opportunities by flicking the ball at goal, but keeper Emiliano Bosso kicked it clear with ease.
Argentina were up for the first penalty corner at minute 23, with Burras goalkeeper Ashleigh Thomas saving the flick that went to the left of the net. Australia had their own penalty corner opportunity at minute 28, but it was another excellent save for the Argentine goalkeeper.
Australian Matthew Bird scored the first goal of the match, sliding the ball into goal with a deflection on a free hit from the 25 line, giving the Burras a 1-0 lead.
With two minutes to go in the first half, Argentina took a penalty corner with a spectacular set play but Thomas executed an excellent save on the corner denying the Argentine goal.
In the second half, Argentina had the first opportunity at goal and they used it well. The penalty corner flick by Argentinian captain, Maico Casella, deflected into goal from an Australian stick levelling the score.
In the dying minutes of the game, Australia were awarded a penalty stroke. Blake Govers took the hit and knocked it straight into the top left of the net, reclaiming the lead and giving the Burras the win.
The Burras next play Austria today at 3.30pm AEDT, with the game to be live streamed via the FIH You Tube Channel.
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