Champions Trophy Hockey 2018: Australia get past the Netherlands, win final
World Champions Australia secured a place in the Sunday's final of the 37th and farewell edition of the Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament at Breda on Thursday.
Australia edged out the hosts, the Netherlands, 3-1 in a pulsating game that saw two penalties being awarded.
Australia with today's win, its third, has taken its points tally to 10, while India is placed at number two position with seven points and the Netherlands at number three with six points.
The hosts drew the first blood in the 23rd minute when Mirco Pruijsers scored a brilliant field goal. It was his 50th goal in 77 internationals.
Jack Harvie made it 1-1 two minutes before the breather.
Playing attractive hockey, both Australia and the Netherlands tried to outwit each other. But experienced Hockeyroos were little too hot for the hosts. Five minutes into the second half Govers put the Aussies ahead. It was his 54th goal in 69 games.
Australia could have taken the score to 3-1 but for a missed penalty stroke. Jeremy Hayward who took the stroke had a powerful flick but it hit the goalpost and bounced back. Earlier, the Netherlands, too, was unlucky as two of attempts by its forwards saw the ball hitting the goalpost.
Pressing hard for the third goal, Australia forced another stroke, this time in the 55th minute. Govers, who came to take the penalty, made no mistake to make the score 3-1.
