2014 07 27 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Mackay's View AUSTRALIA

2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Views and Analysis

By Kirsty Mackay of East Grinstead Hockey Club

Kirsty Mackay has made 32 appearances for England and Great Britain Indoors and Outdoors and represented England recently at the Rabobank World Cup and the Investec London Cup.  Kirsty has competed also at EuroHockey Nations Championships, World League and EuroHockey Nations Indoors.

What is the prediction for England v Australia ?

We definitely need to see our key players performing well and leading the team. I'm also hoping that we can continue to see the forwards attack with confidence. Both Alex and Soph have scored some good goals already and I think our pace going forwards has the potential to rip the Aussie defence apart! 

We have won two games so far without reaching our peak yet and I think we can take the positives in that we can still step it up a gear. We have also started to convert our corners, which will give Australia something to think about because we now have a number of people who have demonstrated the ability to score and pose a threat.

Australia have been setting the pace in our group; do you thick their position at the top is a fair reflection of their performance and capability ?

I think so, they have been very clinical thus far, attacking with pace and direct. As I eluded to in my first blog the Australia short corner routine is the real difference at the moment and that fills a team with confidence knowing that you can rely on short corner routines. I think Flanagan has been drag flicking very well, continuing her form from the world cup and now here at the CWG, Kenny has also been demonstrating that she is just as dangerous and stepping up to the mark. 

However, I do feel that we are the team to be able to compete with them here, as long as we can concentrate in defending our 'D' and not giving short corners away. I feel that on field, we can definitely capitalise on their defensive line with our pace and physicality to get a positive result.

Kirsty can be seen in action during the coming season playing for East Grinstead Hockey Club.