New Delhi, March 06: Australia are in a better position to make the semifinals after their 2-0 win over a lackluster Spain in Pool B of the hockey World Cup here Saturday.
Australia scored a goal each on either side of the break through Luke Doerner’s penalty corner conversion (20th minute) and Glenn Turner’s field goal (60th).
Australia, after beginning their campaign with a shocking loss to England, registered their third consecutive victory to take their points tally to nine from four matches.
Olympic silver medallist Spain, who beat India 5-2 in the last match, have six points with a match to go against England.
The match did not rise to any great heights in the first half, but came alive in the second as the two teams moved with more fluidity.
Spain missed four penalty corners each on either side of the half and their specialist Pau Quemada, who slotted two goals against India, looked out of sorts. Australian goalkeeper Nathan Burgers made some good saves too.
Australian Desmond Abbott sizzled with his solo runs from the flanks but twice muffed opportunities in the goalmouth.
Doerner, who had converted four penalty corners in Australia’s 12-0 annihilation of South Africa Thursday, scored his sixth goal of the tournament with a fine penalty-corner conversion and joined Taeke Taekema of the Netherlands as the tournament’s top scorer.
The Spaniards, looking for the equaliser, made a series of moves but could not breach Australia’s defence.
Spain’s best opportunity to score came when their start striker Eduard Tubau, after controlling a scoop from the midfield, beat the Australian defence and dodged goalkeeper Burgers but shot waywardly with an open goal in front.
Spain increased the pace after the breather but could not shake off Australia’s tight man-to-man marking. In fact, Spanish veteran Pol Amat, who was brilliant in playmaker’s role against India, was kept on a tight leash and was never allowed space to set up the ball for his teammates.
Australia were good in the counter-attacks, They, too, had their chances and off their third penalty corner, Spain’s Rodirgo Garza made a diving save to deny the Kookaburras.
Australia found their second goal through a brilliant move that saw Robert Hammond finding an unmarked Turner, who slotted home.
—Agencies