Kookaburras Olympic Curse Strikes Again
The Kookaburras have suffered an agonizing semi-final loss to Spain, ruining their chances of a gold medal defence and relegating them to the play-off for bronze.
Going into the match as warm favourites as the number one ranked team in the world, current Champions Trophy title holders, 2006 World Cup runners-up and defending Olympic champions, Australia were overrun by a tenacious Spanish outfit 3-2 in a stunning boil over.
The Aussies will now play their arch-rivals The Netherlands, who lost to Germany in another surprise result, for bronze on Saturday night.
Retiring West Australian Bevan George, who has captained the Kookaburras in Beijing, couldn’t hide his disappointment at the shock loss.
“You can’t ask for any more than of the guys they left very everything out there, but honestly we just didn’t play well enough today. They were just too good for us,” the Narrogin born defender told ABC Online.
“The guys just gave it their all, I mean there are some disappointed boys and they have not had the privilege of playing off for a gold medal.
“Some of these guys are good enough to play another four years, and I am sure they will be there in London.”
WA young guns Kiel Brown and Fergus Kavanagh, who both played solid matches against the Spanish, will be keen to see George off with at least a bronze medal around his neck on Saturday before they set their sights on reclaiming the gold medal in London.
It looked like George would be playing his final international in the Olympic final early on Thursday night, after Kookaburras striker Des Abbott gave his side a 1-0 lead with the semi-final just seconds old.
Abbott deflected a cross into the goal to send the Aussie contingent in the crowd wild. The score remained 1-0 Australia’s way through until half time.
The Kookaburras advantage was doubled with the second half only two minutes old when Eddie Ockenden scored an impressive field goal.
Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Australia though as Spain came storming home to tie the scores at 2-2 in the 44th minute before nailing the winner with only two minutes left on the clock.