The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : Aussies realise a dream

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004

Sport

Sport - Olympic Games

Aussies realise a dream

By Kamesh Srinivasan

Australia 2 Netherlands 1

ATHENS, AUG. 27. The Australian hockey team did it at last. After trying for decades to win the men's Olympic gold, the team dethroned two-time Olympic champion Holland 2-1 in the final at the Helliniko Centre here on Friday night.

A golden goal by the young Jamie Dwyer, who converted a penalty corner on the second attempt, after the hooter for the first half of extra-time was sounded clinched the issue in Australia's favour. The Australians had won the bronze in Sydney 2000 and the silver in 1992, 1976 and 1968.

The Dutch had reasons to be disillusioned as the penalty corner awarded by umpire Ray O'Connor was harsh, to put it mildly. The Aussie Troy Elder had tripped and fell inside the semi-circle and the Dutch were aghast at the penalty corner award.

It was the Dutch who shot ahead in the 29th minute, as Ronald Brouwer sped away on the left flank after being put through by Matthijs Brouwer. It was a superb demonstration of pace, precision and skill when Ronald Brouwer shrugged off the defenders, threw the goalkeeper out of balance and fired home the first goal. The Dutch fans celebrated in the stands.

The match came alive three minutes after resumption in the second half when Travis Brooks slammed home a reverse hit from an acute angle after being put in possession by the hard-working Dwyer. The latter could have scored a goal, but was too far ahead to connect a fine cross from Grant Schubert from the right before scoring the golden goal.

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