Aussie men set for hockey cup final berth

Australia have beaten Ireland 4-1 for their fourth-straight win and look certainties to reach the final of hockey's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

The Kookaburras have all but booked their berth in the final of hockey's Sultan Azlan Shah Cup after beating Ireland 4-1 for their fourth-straight win in Malaysia.

Australia raced to a 3-0 halftime lead on Wednesday night in Ipoh after goals to Jake Whetton, Daniel Beale and Blake Govers.

The Kookaburras added a fourth early in the final quarter through Jake Harvie, before Ireland grabbed a late consolation.

Ireland had the better of the possession count but Australia absorbed the pressure and scored expertly on the counter-attack, with 11 shots to seven and 19 circle entries to 11.

The result leaves the Kookaburras top of the standings with four wins from four games and a six-point lead on second-placed Argentina and third-placed Malaysia, who have two games to play.

Australia are next in action at 7:00pm on Friday against Argentina.

Ireland had plenty of the ball early but the Kookaburras who went ahead in the 11th minute when Whetton burst forward and fired an inch-perfect reverse stick shot in off the far post.

Beale and Trent Mitton broke swiftly for Australia's second goal, which the former converted with the aid of a deflection off an Ireland defender in the 14th minute.

Australia made it 3-0 in the 21st minute when Govers fired a powerful drag flick into the roof of the net from a penalty corner.

Harvie netted his maiden international goal to cap off a superb team move for the fourth goal.

Lachlan Sharp, Aaron Kleinschmidt and Beale were all involved as Harvie converted from close range in the 50th minute.


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Source: AAP



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