|
 |
|
Spectators at the match |
There was great excitement in the air as more
than 200 spectators applauded both teams as they
were called onto the court. The players at both
sides looked confident and sharp at the start of
the game. There was no apparent nervousness but
eagerness to get on with the battle on the
court.
Australian Team Captain Bevan Calvert was quick
to set the tempo of the match by immediately
posting the first two goals. These were
followed by four more goals by the Aussies - two
by Dan Kelly, one by men’s team debutante Caleb
Gahan and by Luka Krajnc.
The Kiwis showed strong defence and kept at
challenging Aussie Goalkeeper Ogi Latinovic,
managing posting the two successive goals of the
match – by Thomas McKay and Patrick Whatman.
This brought the score tally at 6:2 at 16.31
game time.
This was followed by tit-for-tat scoring for
both sides with Caleb Gahan adding to the
Aussies goals, James Palmer for the Kiwis and
Luka Krajnc for the Aussies, and another one for
the Kiwis by Patrick Whatmas. Score at this
time was 8:4.
 |
|
New
Zealand in attack |
The Kiwis had a tight and energetic defense but
the Aussies were determined to widen the goal
margin scoring the next four successive goals.
Aussie national team debutante Michael Sullivan
scored his first goal in the match from a shot
at right wing. Zealous defence by the Kiwis
caused a foul with the seven metre awarded to
the Aussies. This was successfully converted
into goal by Team Captain Bevan Calvert. Two
fastbreaks by Mitchell Hedges and Luka Krajnc
further added to the gap, the score being 12:4.
Kiwi Jason Roche broke in from right back to add
to their tally. Fast play by Bevan Calvert and
Mitchell Hedges scored two more goals for the
Aussies bringing the score at 14:5 at 2.13 game
time. The Kiwis showed great fighting spirit,
with Matthew Thomson scoring one from left
wing. Just before the buzzer, Caleb Gahan
scored a goal for the Aussies.
Half Time Score: Australia 15 – New Zealand 6
 |
|
New
Zealand Shooting for goal |
Michael Sullivan added his second goal for the
Aussies at the start of second half, with Jason
Roche answering with a goal from right back for
the Kiwis.
The Aussies’ determined play saw them scoring
the next six goals to further the gap. Ogi
Matic attempts at goal at first half were
unsuccessful which made him more determined. He
was rewarded with three of the six goals scoring
from left back. Mitchel Hedges contributed two
from his fast play. Bevan Calvert also
contributed one goal which was to be his last
one for the match as he was moved in defense.
Score at this time was 22:7.
 |
|
New
Zealand Shooting for goal |
Kiwi James Palmer was cheered loudly by the
crowd when he asserted through the Aussies
defence to score from a shot at left back.
This challenged the Aussies to regroup and added
five more to their score tally – one by Michael
Sullivan, two more from Tommy Fletcher, a
fastbreak by Daniel Kelly and with debutante Tim
Anderson scoring his first goal. Score 27:8.
The Kiwis kept up determined fight with Ben
Wallace putting one away from right back.
Likewise the Aussies continued with their
spirited play scoring the next three goals -
Luka Krajnc who showed no slacking off
contributed one; team debutante Callum Mouncey
who was formidable throughout the game was
rewarded with his first goal for the Qualifier
and one from fast play by Daniel Kelly.
 |
|
Australia Shooting for goal |
James Palmer and Luka Krajnc scored respectively
the last goal of the match for the Kiwis and the
Aussies.
Brilliant saves made by the Aussies Goalkeepers
Ognjen Latinovic and Pascal Winkler kept the
zealous attempts at goals by the Kiwis. James
Nixon, Kiwi Goalkeeper, equally did his share of
denying the Aussies a number of goals.
Full Time Score: Australia 31 – New Zealand
10.
Goals:
Australia - B Calvert 5, Luka Krajnc 5,
Mitchell Hedges 4, Daniel Kelly 4, Caleb Gahan
3, Ognjen Matic 3, Michael Sullivan 3, Tommy
Fletcher 2, Callum Mouncey 1, Tim Anderson 1
Officials: Taip Ramadani [Head Coach],
Lee Schofield [Asst Coach], George Tsai
[Physiotherapist], John Calvert [Manager]
New Zealand – J Palmer 3, Jason Roche 2,
Matthew Thompson 2, Ben Wallace 1, Thomas McKay
1 Patrick Whatman 1
Officials: Ilkin Onal [Coach], Jessica
Fearnside [Physiotherapist]
IHF Tournament Officials: Saleh Banatraf
[Referee], Mansour Al-Suwaidi [Referee], Sara
Salamo [Scorer], Dorothy Potocka [Timekeeper] |
