TAMSIN Bunt went to this year’s Women’s Indoor Hockey World Cup in Berlin with the aim of helping Australia reach the semi-finals – a goal which is still in reach thanks to an upset on the opening day of action.
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While the Bathurst hockey talent has previously toured with the Australian women’s indoor team – going to Singapore in 2013 and Europe last year – on Wednesday night (AEDST) she made her World Cup debut.
Australia went into the tournament ranked eighth in the world, but Bunt was hopeful that her side could exceed expectations.
“I honestly think we are looking to make semi-finals and higher than that. I think to make the semi-final would be a huge achievement, so obviously that’s the first goal, and then we want to try and win each game after that,” she said.
Australia opened its campaign against world number seven Ukraine and while conceding in the fourth minute, Bunt’s side lifted and surged to a 3-1 lead.
However, Ukraine bagged three goals in the space of four minutes late in the second half to take the honours 4-3. Captain Yana Vorushylo picked up a hat-trick for the victors.
Though disappointed to have missed out in their opener, Bunt and her team-mates hit back in the second of their pool games with a 2-1 upset of the world number three Czech Republic.
Again Australia went a goal down early, but the equaliser came less than 60 seconds later before the green and golds sealed victory in the 33rd minute. That effort had Bunt’s side sitting fourth in its pool.
