AMSTELVEEN, Netherlands, 24 August 2003 — Australia, needing only a draw against Argentina to reach their third Champions Trophy final in five years, overwhelmed the Pan American champions 8-3 yesterday.
They will play holders the Netherlands, who crushed Germany 6-0, in today’s final having last won the title in Brisbane in 1999.
It was the second successive match in the high-scoring tournament to serve up 11 goals, following India’s 7-4 victory over Pakistan on Friday. Because Argentina lost by more than two goals, India qualified to play Pakistan for the bronze medals today.
Argentina dropped below India on goal difference with yesterday’s defeat and will have to beat Germany to avoid last place.
Australia set a stinging pace from the start against Argentina and deserved a 12th minute lead though their first goal was lucky after Michael McCann’s pass was deflected into goal.
Australia went 3-0 ahead by the 38th minute through Craig Victory and an opportunist effort by Grant Schubert. Argentina replied with a 45th minute corner by Jorge Lombi but Australia’s speed and smart inter-changing of positions then helped them score almost at will and they added five goals in the last 15 minutes, their flow interrupted by a couple of consolation goals for Argentina.
McCann and Schubert each added a second for Australia whose other goals were snapped up by Troy Elder, Robert Hammond and Tristam Woodhouse.
Carlos Retegui and Lombi added the last two Argentinean goals, Lombi maintaining his position as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals.
The Netherlands made more than sure of topping the group standings with their biggest ever victory over Germany, defeating the development team fielded by their European rivals 6-0.
Bram Lomans and Teun de Nooiyer each scored twice for the Dutch, who led 3-0 at halftime. The Dutch goals took the tournament goal tally to 109 from 15 group matches, a remarkable and unprecedented level of scoring in the world’s top six event.
Argentina Take Bronze in 4-Nations Cup
Argentina took third place, defeating Germany 4-2 in the women’s 4-Nations Cup tournament yesterday. Following a 6-0 drubbing by Argentina Friday, Germany woke up Argentina, with a penalty corner conversion on the first play of the match, Fanny Rinne faking a drag flick, spinning and laying off to Boehmert for the flick into the net from the left.
Luciana Aymar pounced on Denise Klecker’s error six minutes later for the equalizer, back-stick flicking into goal from the left backline.
Klecker made up for her mistake, scoring off Germany’s third penalty corner, picking up the rebound from Paola Vukojicic’s pads in the 11th minute and driving in from the right side of goal for Germany to take the lead 2-1.
Luciana Aymar made Argentina’s equalizer after 27 minutes, working possession along the right to beat three defenders and drive a cross to the face of goal where three strikers had a chance to score, with Alejandra Gulla getting the touch into goal.
