Kieran Govers has made a successful return to international hockey, with the Kookaburras defeating Argentina 1-0 in Darwin on Sunday night.
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Forced to wait 658 days between Australian appearances, the Albion Park local’s international career appeared to be over in late 2016. However after overcoming a serious hamstring injury, Govers worked his way back into the Australian squad earlier this year.
Darwin product Jeremy Hayward proved the difference in the match, scoring the game’s only goal early in the third quarter.
The goal came off a penalty corner, with Hayward’s drag flick deflected by an Argentinian defender before he pounced on the loose ball with a backhand shot that found the back of the net.
The goal came not long after Govers had a scoring opportunity of his own, with a quality save by Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi denying the 30-year-old in the second quarter.
Argentina had a number of chances in the fourth quarter, but the Australian defence held firm, to secure the victory over the world number two.
The win acted as a perfect warm up for the Kookaburra ahead of the Darwin International Hockey Open.
The competition, running from Tuesday to Saturday, will see the Australians take on Argentina, Japan and Malaysia as the world’s top hockey sides continue their preparations for November’s Hockey World Cup.
Current world number one and Champions Trophy winners, the Kookaburras are seeking their third-straight World Cup crown.