Photo: MICHAEL CLAYTON-JONES
Albion Park Hockeyroos’ star Casey Eastham has scored in Australia’s victory over Ireland at a tournament in London overnight.
Eastham’s shot was deflected into the goal by an Irish defender as the Hockeyroos marched to a 4-1 demolition.
It follows a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the pre-Olympic warm-up tournament at the Games site.
Australia led 3-nil against Ireland after just 19 minutes, before Eastham sealed victory.
Coach Adam Commens was satisfied with the victory.
“We aimed to score early and we created several opportunities so it was good to put them away,’’ Commens said.
‘‘We had been unable to do that against Holland in our first match and paid the price.’’
However, Eastham’s teammate Teneal Attard challenged the Australians to be more ruthless.
“It was good to get a goal early but it was disappointing to fall away in the second half,’’ she said.
‘‘We’re trying to get our structures right but we still have a good deal to work on.’’
The result included encouraging signs from Eastham, who suffered an eye socket fracture during training in Perth prior to flying out for the London tournament.
Eastham was relieved when she learned surgery was not required, meaning she could continue to be part of the Hockeyroos’ Olympic campaign.
World No 1 Holland will start raging favourites to beat 14th ranked Ireland in the final pool game, meaning Australia will likely play the winner of Group B - including Great Britain, Germany and South Africa - in the semi-final.