Kookaburras take out gold

The Kookaburras have further proved their worth as the world's no1 hockey nation after outclassing the Netherlands 3-1 in the final of the Champions Trophy in India earlier this morning.

Strolling through the tournament undefeated with four wins and a draw, Australia entered the final against the Dutch as favourites, and after building a 1-0 half time lead, a dominant second half saw them slam home two goals without a riposte to secure their fate.

This Kookaburras can now add their eighth piece of silverware to the cabinet from the Champions Trophy, backing up from their Athens Olympics success over the same nation.

Jamie Dwyer was named player of the match, while Australian captain Bevan George was announced as player of the tournament.

"A satisfying performance," Australian coach Barry Dancer said post-match.

"Pleasing in terms of the comprehensive nature and the consistency we have been searching for throughout the tournament."

As the heaven's opened for the first time in the tournament, both teams had even share of possession and scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes of the match.

The Kookaburras were first to break the deadlock through a penalty corner - Brent Livermore's flat strike deflecting on its route to goal, before Matthew Wells slotted it into the back of the net past keeper Guus Vogels lying on the floor.

Australia continued to run, penetrate the circle and create greater chances at goals than the Dutch, but superb defence, especially by Vogels, ensured there would only be a one-goal buffer at the half.

Only 62 seconds into the second half and the Kookaburras propelled themselves out to a 2-0 lead after a superb duel attack when Liam De Young received from Travis Brooks to slam the ball into the back of the net from close range.

The Netherlands had their best chance to work their way back into the match nine minutes later when Karel Klaver was facing an empty net after some beautiful duel attacking, only for Dean Butler to make a superb last-gasp stop.

Rain temporarily haulted play for quarter of an hour, but upon the resumption, the break unfazed Australia, with Dwyer slamming the Kookaburras out to a 3-0 lead with a field goal between the legs of the keeper.

Taeke Taekema secured a consolation goal for the Dutch in the dying minutes.

In the bronze medal match, Spain outlasted Germany in a highly entertaining 5-2 result, which saw all seven goals scored from the field.

Pakistan avoided relegation after accounting for India 4-3 in the bottom-two match.

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