Australia sink England  x2
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| Australia |
August 18, 2005
Newindpress, India
> Page Views 1791
Olympic champions Australia demonstrated their firepower to annihilate England 6-2 in the Rabo Trophy Hockey Tournament here, on Thursday.
Though they had to wait till the 33rd minute for the lead, it was a virtual blitz in the second half from the men from Down Under, which left England haplessly stranded to finish at the bottom of Pool B.
The Australian goal-scorers were Mathew Wells (33rd), Jamie Dwyer (45th), Grant Schubert (50th), Ben Bishop (54th), Luke Doerner (65th) and Matthew Naylor (70th minute). The marksmen for England were Richard Alexander (37th) and Rob Moore (60th).
England, however, put up a spirited fight in the first session and came close to drawing first blood on three occasions. In the opening minutes of the match, a low Jonty Clark hit was well taken by Aussie custodian Stephen Lambert.
Then efforts from James Tindall and Barry Middleton went abegging. England also wasted two penalty corners in the first half.
Australia looked a bit slow initially, but gradually gathered pace as they forayed into the rival circle.
However, good defensive tactics and clearances from England skipper Brett Garrard and Ben Hawes kept them at bay.
After a couple of missed chances from Bishop and Andrew Smith, skipper Wells found the mark two minutes from the break from a routine set piece.
England came back stronger initially after the changeover, netting the equaliser. Alexander made no mistake from atop the circle, after being set up from the right.
The Australian forwards moved in tandem and regained the lead when Dwyer finished off from a Michael McCann move in the 45th minute. Five minutes later it was Schubert's turn as he unleashed a powerful shot to make it 3-1.
The English caved in, unable to keep up with their opponents' speed. They appeared fatigued as they were playing their second game in 24 hours, having earned a draw against Holland, on Tuesday.
Australia increased their lead when Bishop found the target in the 54th minute. But just as the floodgates opened, England fired one back, Moore tapping a Goudie cross in the 60th minute.
Thereafter the Aussies held sway pumping two more goals from Doerner with a drag flick and Naylor to complete the English rout.
Australia tops their pool and will clash with hosts Holland in their final preliminary fixture on Friday.
Coach Barry Dancer was pleased with the performance and said his boys were settling down and playing to their potential.
“We would like to be in Sunday's final, but before that we need to overcome the Dutch, and it will not be easy, particularly with the crowds rooting for them”.
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