The Kookaburras got here from two targets down and denied Spain a last-gasp equaliser to guide a spot within the closing 4 of the FIH Males’s Hockey World Cup.
Australia has reached the semi-final stage or higher in each World Cup relationship again to 1978, however that report was beneath severe menace in Bhubaneswar as Spain shot out to a two-goal lead inside the primary half-hour.
Flynn Ogilvie discovered the purpose simply 5 seconds from halftime to pull No. 1 seed Australia again into the competition
It sparked a scintillating four-goal spell in simply eight sport minutes, together with a double from Jeremy Hayward, which dragged the Kookaburras off the canvas and right into a matchwinning place earlier than the pendulum as soon as once more swung to Spain.
Redsticks captain Marc Miralles pegged a purpose again within the forty first minute and the Spanish skipper was handed a gilt-edged alternative to attract degree when awarded a penalty stroke within the dying phases.
Enter Kookaburras goalkeeper Andrew Constitution, who had earlier denied Spain in a harmful first-half counter-attack and once more stood tall to disclaim Miralles the equaliser from the spot, clinching Australia protected passage to the semis within the course of.
“Being two targets down made it actually arduous. The third quarter actually introduced us again into the sport and examined our mettle so we’re proud to return away with the win,” Constitution stated.
“When Spain have been awarded the stroke (close to the tip of the match) I used to be simply making an attempt to calm the nerves down; take a few deep breaths after which attempt to work out which manner he’s going, and I picked the best manner.
“Now we put together for whoever we face within the semi. Now we have some issues to scrub up defensively in order that’s what we’ll be specializing in.”
Australia will play the winner of Germany and England in Friday evening’s semi-final, whereas reigning World Cup champions Belgium await both the Netherlands or South Korea.
The Kookaburras final received the World Cup in 2014.
A win this yr would draw Australia equal with Pakistan on 4 World Cup titles, probably the most of any nation.
Initially revealed as Hockey World Cup: Australia defeats Spain 4-3 to achieve semi-finals
