Australia bounced back from their shock defeat against Belgium
yesterday with a 2-5 win against Spain in the men’s Semi-Finals of the World
League in Rotterdam today. Australia’s penalty corner strikers were on form
with two first half conversions from Kieran Govers and Chris Ciriello. In a
five minute golden spell in the second half, Kiel Brown and Russell Ford scored
from open play, before Robert Hammond scored Australia’s third penalty corner
goal. Both of Spain’s goals came in the second half, Eduard Tubau scoring the
first, and Gabriel Dabanch scoring the second in the dying seconds.
The other Pool A match saw Belgium add another three points
to keep them ahead of the group. Simon Martin Brisac opened the scoring in the
first half against France, with second half goals from captain Jerome Truyens
and Tom Boon. Final score 3-0.
Belgium are on six points, with Australia in second place on
three. Spain also has three points, but Australia has the better goal
difference. France trail in fourth place.
The Netherlands, another side that failed to get off to a flying
start, made better progress against India with two first half goals, the first
from Billy Bakker and the second from the penalty spot by Jeroen Hertzberger.
Final score 2-0.
The Netherlands remain second in Pool B after New Zealand
had another good result after their draw against The Netherlands yesterday. However, playing Ireland, they did not have it
all their own way. Ireland’s Alan Sothern opened the scoring from the penalty
spot, but the score was 1-1 by half time due to a 23rd minute Phil Burrows’ goal. The
Kiwis went one ahead early in the second half after Nick Haig found the net
from a penalty corner, but it was a lead that lasted less than a minute. Michael
Watt scored for Ireland to bring the score up to 2-2.
New Zealand were to have the last say, with goals from Blair
Hilton and Andy Hayward giving a final score of 4-2 to NZ.
New Zealand and The Netherlands are both on four points,
with New Zealand ahead on goal difference.
Ireland and India are in joint third place with a point each and the
same goal difference.
The teams play their final pool matches on Monday, after
which they play in so-called quarter final matches, which sees the top team in
each pool play the bottom placed side, whilst the second placed team plays the
third.
