Laren – Rotterdam
The match against Rotterdam was always going to be a tough game. They have some really good players, including kookaburra Mark Knowles. As well as some ex tassie tiger players in attack, New Zealanders Phil Burrows and Simon Child. We lost the previous game against them 0 – 2 in Rotterdam, so it was nice to play them at home this time around.
We couldn’t have started the match any better with a goal in the first 30 seconds. I was able to score early with one of the easiest tap ins after some good work by Rehan Butt and Steven Faaij. The ball stopped 30cm from the goal line with the keeper no where to be seen, in the right spot at the right time I guess!
We struggled a little bit for the rest of the half before putting in a much better performance in the second half. Down 1 – 2 at the break we had to play confidently to reduce the deficit. However, instead it was rotterdam who capitilised first to put us further behind at 1 -3. Slowly, we managed to get back in the game, firstly from a penalty stroke which Luke Doerner easily converted, then another from a PC to draw level not too long from full time. It was unfortunate that we then conceeded a late goal which made it impossible for us to win the match. 30 seconds from full time Luke put another solid flick away to tie the game 4 all and complete his hat trick. Finishing the game with a draw was a little bit dissapointing, but we were happy considering the scoreline with a minute left. Plus, it was probably a fair enough result for the match.
Still sitting outside the finals in equal 5th, with another tough game next week against Kampong
