Australia fired the first salvo in their battle to win an elusive men's hockey gold yesterday, beating New Zealand 4-1.
Australia have made the Olympic semifinals seven times and won six medals -- three silver, three bronze -- but despite having one of the strongest teams on the circuit have never climbed all the way up the podium.
PHOTO: AFP
"We are unabashed in our determination to win the gold," said coach Barry Dancer.
"We're upfront about that as individuals and as a team. It's in our face all the time so if you don't address it, there'll be doubt. And anyway, going for a first is great motivation."
Ranked third in the world, the Aussies put on a strong display of running hockey with Jamie Dwyer finishing off their relentless attacks with three flying field goals off both sides of the stick.
The 25-year-old only returned to international hockey in May after nine months out with a knee injury but showed not a twinge as he covered the length of the field time and again.
"In this heat you warm up in no time at all," he grinned.
Australia now face Argentina, beaten 2-1 by South Africa.
South Africa -- the last squad to make the Olympic line-up after hosts Greece failed to meet the standard -- held Argentina at bay, taking all the sting out of Jorge Lombi's normally deadly penalty flicks and ignoring their soccer-style slides.
"That was unbelievable," goalie David Staniforth beamed. "Lombi's the second fastest drag flicker in the world and I spent all week with our guys shooting at me from short distance, testing my reactions, getting me flicking them out".
South Africa's goals came from Greg Nicol who scored one each from a penalty and the field.
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