Kookaburras into World Cup Final in India

The Kookaburras will meet Germany for the third consecutive World Cup final after defeating the Netherlands 2-1 during the semi final in New Delhi, India.

With Germany having won the two previous finals against Australia in 2002 and 2006, the Kookaburras will be looking to gain some revenge when the 2010 final is played on Saturday 13 March.

The Kookaburras have good recent form over Germany, recently defeating them in the final of the 2009 Champions Trophy played in Melbourne last December.

The semi final victory over the Netherlands began at a ferocious pace, with both teams playing on at all costs in order to catch the defence off guard.

As they have so often done in the past Australia attacked early, looking to gain an early lead. However the Dutch defence was up to the task, particularly goalkeeper Guus Vogels who produced several great saves throughout the match.

Three time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer was again a focal point in attack for the Kookaburras, while veteran Grant Schubert was also involved heavily in the early stages of the first half.

As the half unfolded the Kookaburras appeared in control, having the majority of the possession and restricting the Netherlands’ few scoring opportunities.

However on there few opportunities they still appeared dangerous, and if not for some good work from defenders Kiel Brown and Graeme Begbie Australian goalkeeper Nathan Burgers could have been under more pressure.

Burgers was forced to step up when the Netherlands were awarded the first penalty corner of the game, however a good save ensured that the Netherlands remained goalless.

Australia’s break through came from their first penalty corner of the night, with defender Luke Doerner scoring his seventh goal of the tournament to hand the Kookaburras a 1-0 lead at the 27 minute mark.

With both teams mistrapping penalty corner attempts in the dying minutes of the half, the score remained 1-0 at the half time break.

The second half began in a different style to the first, with the Netherlands looking more settled and slowing the play in their half which was in direct contrast to the fast paced first half.

This resulted in some early shots on goal to the Netherlands, however once again Australia’s defensive unit lead by Burgers and Brown denied any opportunity.

A scare went through the Australian camp when key playmaker Jamie Dwyer left the pitch injured mid way through the half after landing awkwardly on the ball in the Australian circle. Fortunately he returned to the pitch minutes later, and continued to cause headaches for the Netherlands with his speed and elite ball control skill.

After an even ten minutes the Kookaburras regained the ascendency when striker Glenn Turner received a pass from Simon Orchard in the circle, catching the goalkeeper off guard and scoring Australia’s second goal at the 55 minute mark.

Two goals down on the scoreboard the Netherlands needed to attack at all costs and did, putting the Kookaburras defence under extreme pressure.

When defender Luke Doerner received a yellow card for a tackle outside the circle the Netherlands were awarded a vital penalty corner, giving them a chance to work themselves back into the game with plenty of time remaining.

The penalty corner shot was stopped by the body of Kiel Brown on the goal line, resulting in a penalty stoke which was converted by Taeke Taekema.

With Australia now one player down due to Doerner’s yellow card the Netherlands saw an opening and attacked relentlessly, coming extremely close to finding an equaliser on several occasions.

However to the credit of the Australian team they held firm for the remaining ten minutes, eventually running out 2-1 winners.

– Hockey Australia