Australia earned a fourth straight win at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament by beating Germany 3-1 on Thursday, earning a place in the final and leaving the Germans needing a victory in their game against the Netherlands today to join them.
Frenetic end-to-end play marked the first 20 minutes, both teams having shots on goal until Martin Haner converted Germany’s first penalty corner for their only goal.
Des Abbott picked up a rebound from Germany goalkeeper Max Weinholt for Australia’s first goal just before the break and added another, deflecting in a cross from Jamie Dwyer early in the second half.
PHOTO: EPA
Dwyer put the match out of Germany’s reach, hammering in a loose ball which Germany defense failed to control and clear.
“We came here to play in the final and we have achieved that and I am proud of the way we fought although I think the result could have gone either way,” Australia coach Richard Charlesworth said.
Germany stayed second in the group despite suffering a second successive defeat having lost to Spain on Tuesday.
But coach Markus Weise still saw positives.
“It was a close match and I am happy we could create chances. Unfortunately we were unable to convert any, apart from the one penalty corner, so creating chances is one thing and converting them is another,” Weise said.
New Zealand came within 10 seconds of another historic win after defeating the Netherlands 3-1 on Tuesday, but conceded a last second penalty corner and goal to allow Spain to draw 4-4.
David Alegre scored first for Spain followed by Nicholas Wilson’s deflection high into the net for his third goal in three matches at the tournament.
Santi Freixa’s individual goal had Spain ahead 2-1 going towards the break until Simon Child leveled at 2-2 in the last minute of the first half.
New Zealand dominated Spain for the first 20 minutes of the second half as Phillip Burrows then Steven Edwards scored field goals for a 4-2 lead with 15 minutes to play.
Spain hit back a minute later, Ramon Alegre converting Spain’s third penalty corner off Pau Quemada’s flick.
Spain went for the equalizer, gained a penalty corner with 90 seconds left on the clock after New Zealand had their video referral refused.
The push out was not stopped giving New Zealand 80 seconds to defend their lead.
In the last play of the game, Spain gained possession in New Zealand’s circle and won a penalty corner.
The final siren sounded and Spain took the penalty corner, converted by Miquel Delas.
“This match was one of the reasons people come to see hockey — it was an exciting match to watch with the result decided in the last second,” New Zealand coach Shane McLeod said.
The Netherlands’ problems continued with a 4-3 defeat to England sending them to the bottom of the table with no possibility of a place in the final.
Richard Alexander had England on the scoreboard in the first five minutes but the Netherlands replied with Rogier Hofman’s goal minutes later. Simon Mantell put England ahead but Jeroen Hertzberger equalized.
Mink van der Weerden then converted the Netherlands’ first penalty corner for a 3-2 lead at the break.
Jonty Clarke and Richard Alexander then scored England’s second half goals to condemn the Netherlands to a fourth loss of the tournament.
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