Kookaburras go for gold at Champions Trophy

Kookaburras go for gold at Champions Trophy

Posted on 10th Dec 2012 @ 3:38 PM

The Kookaburras remain on track to win a fifth successive Champions Trophy after an impressive 3-0 victory over India in the semi final in Melbourne today.

  Star striker Jamie Dwyer was the difference scoring two opening half goals as Australia secured a finals clash with the Netherlands tomorrow at the State Netball Hockey Centre.   A second half field goal to Kieran Govers clinched a place in tomorrow’s sold-out decider.   The Kookaburras haven’t lost a Champions Trophy clash to the Dutch since the gold medal final in 2003 and have a commanding 20-10 win loss record over the men in orange.   Govers said the team is not focused on the five titles, just looking at playing a good game tomorrow.   “We can’t let them (Netherlands) come in and make it a fast and furious game. Fingers crossed we are peaking at the right time”.

           

The Kookaburras had the first real opportunity of the game in the opening minutes through a penalty corner that was struck by Govers straight into the Indian defenders.

  After dominating the first five minutes the Australians made no mistake on their second penalty corner. After a Chris Ciriello drive, star forward Jamie Dwyer picked up the loose ball inside the area to shoot home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.   The lead was doubled with 17 minutes remaining in the half after Dwyer was pushed in the back in the goal mouth and a penalty strike was awarded.

The Kookaburras co-captain showed his composure and shot home low to beat Indian goal keeper Imran Butt.

  After the Australian’s had asserted their dominance early the speed of the game soon slowed and the score remained 2-0 at half time.   It was Govers 10 minutes into the second half who latched onto a loose ball in the circle to extend the Kookaburras lead 3-0 and put the game beyond doubt.   In a sometimes fiery encounter it was clear there was no love lost between the two teams. As the Kookaburras continued to press a frustrated India, they were left to contemplate third place playoff with Pakistan.   Once again Dwyer was at his best, toying with the Indian defense on a number of occasions and showcasing why he is rated one of the world’s best players, in an ominous display of form ahead of tomorrow’s final.   It was another step for coach Graham Reid’s side and the Kookaburras go into the final pleased with a defensive structure that has only conceded two goals in five matches.   “I was pleased with the first half, I was really pleased with the defence. Our second half we made some good opportunities and we didn’t put the away and made some poor choices and the cool change didn’t come through until half way through the second half, so the boys had a bit of running to do.”   The final will require a further step up for the Kookaburras and Reid believes they will need to wary of the Netherlands ability to counter attack.   “We need to hold the ball, we threw it away a bit today, and the key is keeping it simple.”   “They like to fall back and counter attack, you will find tomorrow it will be a really tight match to start with and will open up in the second half.”   In a down side for the home team, the Australian’s look set to lose playmaker Fergus Kavanagh with a hamstring strain, but should regain Simon Orchard who has missed the past three matches with a thigh complaint.   Earlier in the day, after a six year absence the Netherlands booked their place in the final for the first time since 2006 defeating Pakistan 5-2.   Ahead of tomorrow’s final against Australia, Dutch playmaker Billy Bakker said it was the team’s goal to make the final in Melbourne.   “The coach said its almost six years since we have made a final, we have a good team, so when we went to Melbourne we had goal for ourselves to play in the final at a minimum.”   “It’s important, our main goal is the world cup in our home country and if we want to win there we have to do well at the Champions Trophy or a European Cup.”   “We have three or four new players, it’s a new team and we are looking for gold here.”   In other matches, Belgium captain Jerome Truyens was delighted to secure the team’s first win at the tournament with a 4-0 win over England, whilst Germany beat New Zealand in a high scoring 6-4 victory.   Game 1: Belgium 4 def England 0

Belgium – Jerome (28min FG + 60min FG), Cedric Charlier (57min FG), Loick Luypaert (70min PC)

  Game 2: Germany 6 def New Zealand 4

Germany – Marco Miltkau (40min FG + 60min FG), Mats Grambusch (43min FG), Tobias Matania (52min PC), Christopher Jan Ruehr (61min FG + 68min FG)

New Zealand – Phillip Burrows (7min PC), Nicolas Wilson (32min FG), Stephen Jenness (52min PC), Nick Haig (64min PC)\  Game 3: Netherlands 5 def Pakistan 2

Netherlands – Billy Bakker (2min FG + 32min FG), Severiano van Ass (20min FG), Valentin Verga (46min FG), Robbert Kemperman (61min FG)

Pakistan – OG (23min), Shakeel Abbasi (70min FG)

  Game 4:Australia 3 def India 0

Australia – Jamie Dwyer (6min PC + 18min PS), Keiran Govers (44min FG)