Australian Teams Qualify for FIH Pro League Finals

Published On: 17 June 2019

The Hockeyroos and Kookaburras have both secured top four positions in the inaugural FIH Pro League after recording wins in Germany over the weekend.

The Hockeyroos upset the hosts on their own turf to secure a 3-1 win that guarantees they’ll be in the final four when the play-offs commence on Thursday June 27.

Currently ranked third, the Australian women defeated their nearest rival in Germany, to ensure that their points differential cannot now be made up by any side outside of the top four.

They will face a stern test of their credentials in the lead up to finals however, with a clash against world number one the Netherlands set to follow a match up next with fifth ranked Belgium.

Two goals to Jane Claxton and a further strike from Emily Chalker gave the Australians a 3-0 lead, and whilst Germany did pull one goal back, the Hockeyroos were strong enough at the back to prevent any threat of a more serious comeback.

  

The Kookaburras have similarly wrapped up their finals berth in the 2019 Pro League with a hard fought 2-1 win over Germany that maintains their position at the top of the standings.

That spot will go on the line on Wednesday however, with the Kookaburras set for a clash with second ranked Belgium in Antwerp. The Kookaburras then complete their in-season fixtures with a match in the Netherlands against the third ranked Dutch-side.

The semi-finals for the men’s competition will take place on Friday June 28. Women’s medal rounds follow on Saturday June 29, with the men’s medal round closing the season on Sunday June 30. Those matches will also be hosted in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, a Burras team (men’s U21 national side) boasting five WA athletes has suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Germany in the semi-final of the U21 Eight Nations Tournament in Madrid, Spain.

The loss relegated the Australians to the third place play-off which they were defeated in via a penalty shootout against Belgium. Dane Gavranich, Tom Harvey, Brayden King, Alistair Murray and Christian Starkie were all members of the touring side.

– Photo: FIH