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ROTTERDAM, Nov 11: Two goals by Florian Kunz, the tournament’s top scorer, helped Germany to a 2-1 defeat of Australia in the final of the Champions Trophy here Sunday.
Germany became the first team to win the trophy eight times after a flawless campaign, winning all six of their matches in the annual eventfeaturing the top six men’s nations which had been transferred from Lahore to Rotterdam after the September 11 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York.
Kunz, who had been momentarily toppled from the goalscoring top spot by Pakistan’s Sohail Abbas who scored earlier in the day, finally made sure of the scorers’ award by putting Germany ahead from their third corner scoring with a waist-high flick shot.
Australia, the Olympic bronze medallists, drew level in the tenth minute of the second half, Matthew Smith turning in a quickly taken free hit.
But Germany had regained the lead within 60 seconds.
Again it was Kunz who proved decisive, converting Germany’s fourth penalty corner with another unerring flick shot.
Australia had two great chances to level nine minutes later but Jeremy Hiskins failed to take both chances shooting straight at the keeper from eight yards.
Goalkeeper Arnold Clemens then saved when Australia were awarded a highly-controversial penalty stroke.
Australia battled to pull level and pressed the solid German defence as the minutes ticked away.
However Germany were relieved when Matthew Wells, Australia’s best defender, failed with two penalty corner shots.
Kunz was also awarded the trophy for the tournament’s best player.
PAKISTAN LOSE: Defending Olympic champions the Netherlands had the third place match against Pakistan won by half time. They eventually won 5-2 after leading 3-0 in 31 minutes and if their corner drills had been working, the margin would have been much greater.
With the core of their Olympic team gone, the Dutch will feel no disgrace in dropping two places in the rankings.
Teun de Nooijer gave the Netherlands a 14th minute lead with a brilliant shot, hitting reverse stick into a bottom corner despite a crowded circle for his fourth goal of the event.
Pakistan allowed the Dutch too much room and de Nooijer had a hand in their second goal in the 20th minute when Ronald Brouwer at last got on the score sheet, following up de Nooijer’s shot.
The best move of the match, started by Delmee in his own circle, brought Netherlands a penalty award. Taeka Taekama may have been off target at corners but he tucked the stroke into a bottom corner.
Pakistan pulled back a goal with a rising shot by Kashif Jawwad three minutes into the second half - his sixth goal of the event - but Netherlands immediately replied with a fine flowing move finished off by Marten Eikelboom.
Bram Lomans converted the Netherlands’ seventh corner but Sohail Abbas converted a penalty stroke for Pakistan’s second goal just 31 seconds before time.
ENGLAND WIN: Three low saves by Nick Taylor in a penalty stroke shoot-out saw England take fifth place after a 3-3 draw with South Korea, the Olympic silver medallists.
After 15 minutes of goalless extra time, England took the penalty competition 3-2.
Germany 2 Australia 1
Netherlands 5 Pakistan 2
England 3 South Korea 3
(England win 6-5 on shootout)
Final standings:
1-Germany, 2-Australia, 3-Netherlands, 4-Pakistan, 5-England, 6-South Korea.—AFP/Reuters
