Hockey Australia Vs Spain

THE WORLD CUP HOCKEY 2010

Australia Vs Spain

 

Aussies unstoppable

Doerner On Target As Lacklustre Spain Go Down Tamely

     New Delhi: "We will have to play for the fifth position. " This declaration from spanish coach Dani Martin was as disappointing as his team's show againt Australis on saturday..The 2-0 loss not only firually ended their hopes of making the semifinals from Group B in the Hockey World Cup but left a bitter taste in the mouth as they conceded defeat before making a match of it.

      To be sure, spain, with six points from four matches, aren't out of the race yet, at least mathematically. But to make that giant leap, they will have to pray for an Aussie loss to Pakistan in their final league match on Monday and hope that they defeat England by a colossal margin. In reality,though, that is mission impossible.

       What went wrong on satuday was easy to guess. Spaine capitulated in the second half.Spain were inexplicably slow, pushing the ball to the flanks and working laboriously along the line. Yes, they did make an impact whenever they reached the circle, forcing in all eight penalty corners.

       One man who could have made the difference -- Eduard Tubau-- was a passenger upfront. Pol Amat and Pau Quemada were also out of form. And that was quite a contrast when compared with their performance in the first half, where numerous chances, created with clinical work on the midfield by Miquel Delas and David Alegre, came dangerouly close to fetching them the lead.

       But then, they had a resolute Aussie defence and goalkeeper Nathan Burgers to contend with. Australia did not look too hassled, although coach Ric Charlesworth complained about poor umpiring in the tournament yet again. But they stook out in consistency and that fetched them rich dividends.

        The first goal came in the 20th minute when luke Doerner converted their first penalty corner, The other came 40 minutes later, Glenn Turner cleverly guding home a Robert Hammond pass.

         Later, in the press conference, the Austalians were their typical selves, refusing to look ahead to the semifinals until they had completed their job in the league.

       "We have the advantage as far as goal difference is concerned, but at this stage of the tournament that certainly does not guarantee a place in the semis, " said Aussie skipper Jamie Dwyer. Charlesworth was disappointed withy the umpiring decisions.