Australia Wins Men's World Cup Hockey, Loses The Women's Final
Australia Wins Men's World Cup Hockey, Loses The Women's Final
In an irony of ultimate ironies, the men's Australian hockey team won the World Cup while beating The Netherlands and the women's team of this nation lost to the Dutch team of The Netherlands. Australia won the 3rd Hockey World Cup title defeating The Netherlands 6-1 for the men's championship. It also posted a loss in the women's championship when the Ducth women won for the 7th time.
Kookaburra goalkeeper Andrew Charter parried well when Mink van Der Weerden stepped up to the challenge. But the Dutch still managed to score the first score when a solo run by Jereon Hertzberger's backhand stroke met the net.
The winning world champions struck back due to the efforts of Chris Ciriello who converted the Kookaburra first penalty corner. The Aussie team was full of steam in the second half scoring after 102 seconds as Glenn Turner was able to extend the lead to 3-1.
The 15,000 strong spectators at the stadium of the soccer club ADO Den Haag were not disappointed when the world number one team took control of the match. Ciriello won 2 more penalty corner foals and it was Jamie Dwyer who worked his magic to seal an Aussie victory after 2 previous ones in 1986 and 2010.
Ciriello added two more penalty corner goals and Jamie Dwyer scored from open play to seal Australia’s third title after victories in 1986 and 2010. Argentina took on the bronze medal winning over England 2-0.
Matias Paredes scored twice within a single minute to put Leones ahead following 55 minutes of competitive hockey. Argentine captain Lucas Rey has expressed his happiness regarding how the team which had come to play off for the fifth position won the bronze medal. The best wins in the game are often the unexpected ones.
England expressed its disappointment with the fourth position after being fourth in the last World Cup and Olympics as well. But when it comes to the women, the Aussies lost the plot. The women's World Cup trophy was snatched by the eves of The Netherlands after a lot of hard-work.
The Dutch dream team smashed Australia in a 2-0 win that left no doubt about who was going to win the game and the cup. Roos Drost may have brought down the circle, but Maartje Paumen was not far behind. She is now the top scorer for her second straight World Cup Match. The Dutch has won this title for the 7th time now.
