Australia defeated Spain 4-1 to win a record-equaling ninth men’s field hockey Champions Trophy title here on Sunday.
Australia assistant coach Colin Batch hailed the win which matched Germany’s titles in the tournament as useful preparation for the Beijing Olympic.
“It was an excellent tournament for us and great preparation for the Olympics and to find our Olympic squad,” Batch said. Australia will announce their Olympic squad on July 10.
PHOTO: AP
But coach Barry Dancer admitted he now faces a selection headache.
“Selection was always going to be very, very difficult and this tournament has not made it any easier,” he said. “I always anticipated that next week would be a difficult time for the players.”
Australia started with speed on the ball and long passes into space, creating early pressure on Spain’s defense. Desmond Abbott came back from his one-match suspension and made amends by scoring. Eli Matheson hit the crossbar with the ball falling to Abbott’s backstick to tap into goal.
Xavier Ribas scored Spain’s only goal, throwing a penalty corner flick high to the left of Stephen Lambert in the Australian goal. Spain pressured Australia until the break, however, Australia’s deep defenders Matthew Wells, Bevan George and Mark Knowles repelled every attack.
The match drifted away from Spain in the second half as Jamie Dwyer flicked high to the left of goalkeeper Francisco Cortes for Australia’s go ahead goal.
In the last 10 minutes Spain pressed in Australia’s defensive quarter which Australia broke twice to score.
Eddie Ockenden beat two defenders and Eli Matheson went one on one with Cortes and beat him with a backstick drive into the middle of the open goal for Australia to take the 4-2 win.
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