Super Aussies emerge champs
December 7, 2015, Raipur
Hayward, Dawson score in 2-1 win over battling Belgians
Australia showed why they are the best team in the world as they beat Belgium 2-1 to clinch the Hockey World League Final title here at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stadium on Sunday.
The Kookaburras were spurred by goals from Jeremy Hayward (16th minute) and Matthew Dawson (37th), while Belgium pulled back a consolation through a Simon Gougnard strike in the final minute of the game.
The Belgians were no match for the reigning world champions, who soared into the lead in the opening minute of the second quarter. Playing a high-pressing game, the Aussies were all over the Belgian circle as they bombarded the Red Lions with waves of attack.
Veteran Glenn Turner was the first to test the Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch, making inroads into the opponents’ circle with purpose. But his finishing let him down as the Vanasch saw off the danger with ease. But an alert Hayward pounced on to the rebound to slot in his side’s first goal of the night.
Egged on after the goal, the Aussies continued with their free-flowing attacking game. While the Mark Knowles-led side enjoyed their time in the park passing and moving with ease, the Belgians had to find ways to break a closely knit Australian defence.
Though the Belgians showed great determination to make inroads into the Australian circle and test the goalkeeper Tyler Lovell with a few tenacious attempts, nothing seemed to beat the custodian as he parried away all dangers to ensure his side held on to the lead.
Attacking the opponent’s goal with intent throughout the 60 minutes, the Australians added another one to their kitty through a short corner early in the second half. This time it was Dawson who stepped up to whip in a fierce strike to make it 2-0 for the Aussies.
Though the Belgians pulled one back from another penalty corner, it was too little too late for the Red Lions as the world champions finished their season off with a title.
Result: Final: Australia: 2 (Jeremy Hayward 16th, Matthew Dawson 37th) bt Belgium: 1 (Simon Gougnard 60th).
The Kookaburras were spurred by goals from Jeremy Hayward (16th minute) and Matthew Dawson (37th), while Belgium pulled back a consolation through a Simon Gougnard strike in the final minute of the game.
The Belgians were no match for the reigning world champions, who soared into the lead in the opening minute of the second quarter. Playing a high-pressing game, the Aussies were all over the Belgian circle as they bombarded the Red Lions with waves of attack.
Veteran Glenn Turner was the first to test the Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch, making inroads into the opponents’ circle with purpose. But his finishing let him down as the Vanasch saw off the danger with ease. But an alert Hayward pounced on to the rebound to slot in his side’s first goal of the night.
Egged on after the goal, the Aussies continued with their free-flowing attacking game. While the Mark Knowles-led side enjoyed their time in the park passing and moving with ease, the Belgians had to find ways to break a closely knit Australian defence.
Though the Belgians showed great determination to make inroads into the Australian circle and test the goalkeeper Tyler Lovell with a few tenacious attempts, nothing seemed to beat the custodian as he parried away all dangers to ensure his side held on to the lead.
Attacking the opponent’s goal with intent throughout the 60 minutes, the Australians added another one to their kitty through a short corner early in the second half. This time it was Dawson who stepped up to whip in a fierce strike to make it 2-0 for the Aussies.
Though the Belgians pulled one back from another penalty corner, it was too little too late for the Red Lions as the world champions finished their season off with a title.
Result: Final: Australia: 2 (Jeremy Hayward 16th, Matthew Dawson 37th) bt Belgium: 1 (Simon Gougnard 60th).
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