Kookaburras home despite Dwyer injury

Australia has booked their place in the men’s hockey semi finals with a 5-1 victory over England, but did so without the services of star forward Jamie Dwyer, who missed with a quad injury.

Dwyer has struggled with injury over recent times, and was tipped to play a large role in Australia taking home their third successive Games Gold Medal.

Kookaburras' coach Barry Dancer is confident, however, that the latest setback will not hold him back any further.

"We'll review it tomorrow in preparation for New Zealand, but I'm optimistic he could be right." Dancer said when quizzed on the issue.

Australia cruised home in comfortable fashion, winning by 4 goals, with a hat-trick to midfielder Nathan Eglington the highlight of the day.

Eglington, 25, enjoyed another successful outing through the midfield and up forward, while Brent Livermore managed the other two goals.

England struck back through James Tindall, but was never a threat, the goal coming with only 15 minutes remaining.

The Kookaburras' opened their account within 90 seconds of the opening, and were never troubled by an English team which were a class below the methodical Aussies.

Australia will need only a draw in tomorrows encounter with New Zealand to finish atop the Pool A ladder, with the semi finals just around the corner.

The gap between both the men’s and women’s hockey squads has grown over the past six days, Australia comfortably leading both competitions.

Australia 5 (Nathan Eglington FG 2m, FG 33m, FG 62m, Brent Livermore PC 42m, PS 47m)
England 1 (James Tindall PC 55m)
Group A match. 21/03/2006. State Netball and Hockey Centre.

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