Kookaburras down India 3-2 to go fourth in Pro League
The Kookaburras have surged to fourth on the FIH Pro League standings, after a clinical, high-pressure 3-2 defeat of India to remain unbeaten as they continue their FIH Pro League title defence in Europe.
Less than 24 hours after their dramatic come-from-behind win over the same foes, the Kookaburras unleashed more firepower in Antwerp, as prolific goalscorer Blake Govers marked his return to international competition for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
It took the NSW striker just five minutes to find the back of the net with a trademark rocketing strike to score his 155th goal in 168 appearances.
"It's awesome to be back. The boys got around me and to get that first clutch, first goal was pretty nice," Govers said.
"I would've liked to have gotten a few more. But it's been a disjointed year and it's just good to be back playing.
"Everything's behind me, the body's feeling a hundred percent, and I'm looking forward to the rest of this tournament."
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝟐 - 𝟑 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚Australia hold on to their first half lead to hand India their sixth consecutive defeat at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25.📱 Stream all the #FIHProLeague matches on https://t.co/71D0pOq2OG.#FIHProLeague #Hockey pic.twitter.com/5S2jTYpKS2
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) June 15, 2025
Govers' goal came at a pivotal moment for Australia, as they answered to India's early lead with aggressive pace.
Reeling from five consecutive FIH Pro League defeats, India opened with fury through Sanjay, who struck early from a penalty corner to claim a 1-0 lead inside three minutes.
But the Kookaburras answered immediately, with Tim Brand deftly deflecting a sublime Ky Willott strike before Govers' solo effort flipped the match.
After three goals in three minutes, Australia were in full control with a 2-1 lead, applying relentless first-half pressure, and earning repeated penalty corners, which soon led to their third goal.
Showing their versatility at the penalty corner, Victoria's Cooper Burns rifled home a strike to score his fourth goal in just 10 international outings, since his debut in February earlier this year.
India clawed a goal back in the third quarter through Dilpreet Singh, sparking hopes of a comeback.
But despite a late surge and even pulling their goalkeeper in a final desperate push, they couldn't find the equaliser.
"We're really pleased with that, it was an intense match, and that's what we expect in a game against India, it's always back and forth, and we've played them a lot over the last few years," Player of the Match Nathan Ephraums told 7plus.
The Kookaburras' European campaign has gained serious momentum. They sit in fourth on the FIH Pro League standings with 18 points, just one point behind third-placed Belgium.
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