The Kookaburras’ rough run of results have continued after falling 4-1 to a determined France in Paris.
Blake Govers’ 133rd international goal gave the Kookaburras a 7th minute lead but from there it was a day to remember for France as they responded in emphatic fashion to the delight of a parochial home crowd.
Coming off four FIH Pro League matches against the Netherlands and Belgium, Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch rested experienced duo Eddie Ockenden and Daniel Beale for the clash against the French.
After France were unsuccessful with an early penalty corner, Govers opened the scoring courtesy of a penalty stroke.
The Kookaburras were then forced to defend three penalty corners in quick succession late in the first quarter.
France’s equaliser came in the shadows of half time through Charles Masson.
The goal gave the hosts an added level of belief and Francois Goyet put them in front from a penalty corner in the 41st minute.
Batch had experimented using only 16 outfield players before he eventually introduced Tom Craig in the 48th minute.
However, a minute later Masson scored his second to spell trouble for the Kookaburras.
Lucas Montecot put the icing on the cake in the 57th minute to give France their fourth win in 21 meetings against the Kookaburras.
The teams will meet again on Sunday (25 June) to round off the Kookaburras’ European tour before returning home to prepare for the Oceania Cup against New Zealand in August.
Match Details
France 4 (Masson 30’/49’, Goyet 41’, Montecot 57’)
Kookaburras 1 (Govers 7’)
@ Saint Germain Hockey Club, Paris
Kookaburras: 1.Lachlan Sharp, 2.Tom Craig, 4.Jake Harvie, 5.Matthew Dawson, 7.Nathan Ephraums, 9.Jacob Anderson, 10.Josh Beltz, 12.Jake Whetton, 13.Blake Govers, 14.Dylan Martin, 16.Tim Howard, 20.Ky Willott, 26.James Collins, 29.Tim Brand, 30.Andrew Charter (gk) (c), 32.Jeremy Hayward, 48.Davis Atkin
Unused substitute: 49.Ash Thomas (gk)
