The Kookaburras are eyeing Olympic revenge after a second-straight dogged Paris victory steeled them for a rematch with their Tokyo gold medal conquerors Belgium.
Create a free account to read this article
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Australia's men's hockey team logged an unconvincing 2-1 defeat of Ireland on Monday, having scrapped to a 1-0 win over Argentina in their tournament opener at the historic Yves du Manoire Stadium.
Corey Weyer - dropped one year, Olympic goal-scorer the next - gave Australia the desired start when his fast flick in traffic rocketed over the shoulder of hulking Irish goalkeeper David Harte in the seventh minute.
But it was a grind beyond that.
Ireland equalised through a Lee Cole drag flick in the 25th minute before a Blake Govers penalty stroke in the final seconds of the half proved the difference on Monday.
"That was my fourth (goal) for Australia, so there's not a heap to choose from, and I can remember them all - I'll tell you all about them," Weyer smiled.
"Whenever I score, I run them over in my mind for days and this one will be extra to my memory for sure."
Eddie Ockenden and Nathan Ephraums, who remains in the side as an injury replacement for Jake Whetton, both had close-ranged shots saved while Tom Wickham's goal was reversed on review.
Ireland, in just their third Olympic campaign but boasting two recent wins against Belgium, had their moments and were pressing in the final minute for an equaliser that never came.
"It was certainly tighter than I would have liked," Weyer said.
"It's the Olympics ... defences tighten up, and it's not (always) going to be three or four-nil wins, and certainly not in the medal matches.
"So getting these close wins early on in the tournament really puts us in good stead for later on."
The Tokyo silver medallists, fresh off winning this season's Pro League, are yet to find their groove ahead of a rematch with defending champions Belgium on Tuesday night (0345 Wednesday AEST).
The European powerhouse broke Australian hockey hearts in Japan three years ago, winning a shootout to deny the Kookaburras just their second gold medal.
"It's definitely time for revenge," Weyer said.
"(But) that was a long time ago, so there is a different group now.
"We're certainly in a better space physically, mentally and with our skill execution at the moment."
The Kookaburras will also play New Zealand and India later this week to complete the pool stage.
The hockey venue on the northern outskirts of Paris was the primary stadium for the 1924 Olympics and the only venue in use 100 years on.
Australian Associated Press
