FIH Hockey WC: Australia beat Netherlands 2-1, to meet Germany in final

New Delhi: Pre tournament favourites Australia live up to their billing with a hard fougfht 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the second semi-final to storm into the final of the 12th FIH Hockey World Cup at the Dhyan Chand Singh Stadium in New Delhi.

Australia will face Germany in the final which will be their third straight meeting in the World championship and the Kookaburras will be looking to extract revenege after losing the last two finals. Netherlands will play England for the bronze medal on Saturday.

Australia where the deserved winners as they look the better and the more organised side but had the withstand a late Dutch fightback after conceding a goal through penalty stroke.

Australia took the lead through Luke Doerner, the joint top scorer of this world cup, from the penalty corner in the 27th minute and went into the break 1-0 up.

Australia dominated the second half as well but found it difficult to break down the Dutch defence but found the crucial second goal in the 55th minute through a field goal from Glenn Turner.

Netherlands though refused to give up and where finally awarded a penalty stroke which was duly dispatched by Taeke taekema, joint top scorer, in the 58th minute but the Australians defended solidly to defend their lead and book a spot in the summit clash with Germany.

2nd Semi-Final Final Score:

Australia-2 (Doerner 27, Turner 55)

Netherlands-1 (Taekema 58)