Germany, Dutch to fight for championship

Despite their latest win, the Aussies failed in a bid for another Champions Trophy title. They had not lost a championship match since 1993. During the unprecedented sequence, Australian women — nicknamed `Charlie’s Angels’ after coach Ric Charlesworth and a famous American television series — sandwiched World Cup wins in 1994 and 1998 around a gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games. They also won the Champions Trophy four times.

But after successive losses to Germany and the Netherlands, Australia was left in a precarius position, needing a win by Germanuy to advance to the final. Dutch striker Fleur van de Kieft guided a deflection past goalkeeper Birgit Beyer in the 31st minute and Susan van der Wielen shot home in the 39th minute during open field play allowing the World Cup silver medalists into the final.

The Netherlands topped the standings with 12 points, two in front of Germany and three ahead of Australia, which set a tournament-high for goals in a game.

Jenny Morris opened the scoring in the fourth minute and padded the lead in the 14th. Renita Garard, Rechelle Hawkes, Alyson Annan and Karen Smith also scored in the rout.

Argentina defeated New Zealand 3-1 in the other women’s league match behind two goals from Vanina Oneto and one from Magdalena Aicega. Lisa Walton scored the lone New Zealand goal.

On the men’s side, Olympic and World champion Netherlands scored a 3-1 victory over Australia to clinch a place in the final. Dutch skipper Stephan Veen scored two goals in the second half to clinch the game and give the Netherlands 12 points from four matches.

The Netherlands is trying to achieve field hockey’s `grand slam’ by winning the Olympic, World and Champions Trophy titles. The defeat left Champions Trophy holder Australian men also in danger of failing to make the championship game.

Spain and Germany remained in the hunt for a spot in the final with victories in the other men’s matches on Thursday. Germany defeated last year’s Champions Trophy silver medalist South Korea 3-1, and Spain hammered Britain 5-1.

Spain has seven points from four matches, Germany six and Australia five from an equal number of games.

The right to face the Netherlands in the final will be decided after Friday’s matches in which Spain meet Netherlands and Germany play Australia. The Netherlands took the lead in the 20th when Marten Eikelboom scored past goalkeeper Lachlan Dreher.

Australia equalised eight minutes later as Brent Livermore deflected in Michael Brennan’s pass. Veen got into his goal-scoring act by converting a penalty stroke in the 45th minute, and then guided Jeroen Delmee’s cross past the outstretched hands of the ‘keeper in the 51st.

Spain’s all-out attack in the second half swept away Britain. Pablo Amat opened Spain’s scoring in the 25th minute before Jan Dinares, two goals by Eduard Tabau and a tally from Albert Sala fuelled the rout. David Mathews scored for Britain in the last minute.

Germany got goals from Christoph Eimer, Matthias Witthaus and Oliver Domke before Jeon Jong-Ha scored for South Korea.