Tom Wickham and Blake Govers have dazzled as Australia confirmed an early finish to New Zealand’s Olympic males’s hockey marketing campaign in Paris.
The Kookaburras’ 5-0 win in Paris on Thursday was a well timed return to goal-scoring kind and improved their startling head-to-head file to 35 wins and one draw from their final 38 clashes since Rio’s 2016 Video games.
It was a fourth straight Video games loss for the Black Sticks, whereas Tokyo silver medallists Australia improved to 3-1 to safe a quarter-final passage forward of a remaining pool sport in opposition to India on Friday.
Ahead Wickham was closely concerned, whereas strike associate Govers’ hat-trick made it a tournament-high six objectives and 26 in Exams in opposition to the trans-Tasman rivals.
New Zealand had their share of possession and alternative however could not crack the Australian defence, the loss ruling them out of development with one pool sport nonetheless to play.
Wickham was in all places for Australia, one way or the other contorting his physique to dodge an Aran Zalewski strike on objective however nonetheless get a contact handy Australia the opener.
Three minutes later his deflection from a Tom Craig cross hit the put up, Govers whipping the rebound into the web for a 2-0 lead.
Wickham then confirmed excellent talent to weave alongside the baseline, Ky Willett accepting a objective on a platter, earlier than Govers slotted two final-quarter drag flicks to swell the lead.
The goal-fest was well timed after two circumspect victories and a 6-2 loss to Belgium in Tuesday’s Tokyo gold medal rematch.
Australian flag bearer Eddie Ockenden, in sport No.449, appeared to brush off a heavy collision, returning the sphere within the second half.
