HOCKEY AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE

Australian team wins gold at the Youth Olympic Games

Australia 2 Pakistan 1 (0-1 half time)

2010 continues to be a successful year for Australian hockey, with the boys Australian hockey team winning the inaugural gold medal at the Youth Olympics overnight. Recording a 2-1 win over Pakistan to remain undefeated throughout the tournament, the win indicates that the future stocks of Australian talent is extremely high and adds to the 2010 Trophy cabinet which includes the 2010 World Cup and 2010 Champions Trophy wins by the Kookaburras. 

In what was a thrilling match, Australia was forced to come from behind to snatch the win after Pakistan opened the scoring at the 10 minute mark. 

The first half played out with the toughest hockey seen in the tournament. Neither team was able to add any goals to the scoreline. Aussie captain Daniel Beale had a penalty stroke conversion sensationally saved by the Pakistani keeper, giving them further confidence as they entered the half time break. 

Although Australia entered the second half determined to work their way back into the match, things did not begin according to plan when Jeremy Hayward was dealt a yellow card which meant Australia was now a player down. 

Buoyed by the support of the entire Australian Team watching in the crowd, a great attacking run through the Pakistan defence from outside the circle, led to a cross before a lightning backhand strike from 16-year-old Dylan Wotherspoon levelled the score in the 49th minute. 

“I told them over the last couple of days that for sitting out, I would pay it back out on the corner,” Wotherspoon said, having missed the last round game in suspension. “I stuck with and scored, it was great.” 

A classy tackle from Victorian Byron Walton saw a vital turnover for the green and gold team. Although they were unable to score from the play, Pakistan’s Muhammad Sohaib was yellow carded and sent to the bin (63’). 

A man-up, Australia kept piling on the pressure with constant attacking raids. The Pakistan defence eventually cracked when Australia was awarded a penalty stroke and Luke Noblett, fresh from his own time in the bin, converted in the top right of the goal. 

With three minutes to play and 2-1 up, Australia was able to hold out the desperate Pakistani team. When the full-time whistle was blown the Australians piled on top of each other in celebration and their opposition fell to the turf. 

“It’s great,” Beale exclaimed. “We came here for the gold and that’s what we got. It feels great.” “It means everything,” Beale said of winning gold. “This is what we dreamed of, what we play hockey for, so for it to come true – words can not describe it.”

Photo provided by SYOGOC