Australia down Holland: Champions Trophy

Australia avenged their Olympic semi-final defeat by beating the Netherlands 3-2 in the men's Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Rotterdam on Sunday.

The Aussies, who lost 1-2 to Germany the previous day, in the process, registered their first victory over the Dutch in their last five meetings. In fact, it was their first major win over the Dutch since the Champions Trophy in Brisbane in 1999.

In other matches, Pakistan beat Olympic silver medallists South Korea 2-0 and Germany got the better of England by a similar margin, with Florian Kunz scoring both goals.

The Dutch started strongly with Teun de Nooiyer putting them ahead within six minutes with a reverse stick shot.

The Aussies restored parity in the 20th minute through Jamie Dwyer, who slammed the ball through a crowed defence from a melee.

Troy Elder made it 2-1 for Australia in the 58th minute before Matthew Smith could put make the issue safe for the Aussies with a goal in the 65th minute.

De Nooijer scored again for the Dutch three minutes from time but that was as far as the home team could get.

The first match of the day saw the all-Asian clash between Pakistan and the Sydney silver medallists, Korea. Pakistan were too strong and a 2-0 victory was well-merited.

Kashif Jawwad scored both the goals.

The first a well executed corner tip in from a Sohail Abbas corner, which was deliberately played wide of goal to attract the tip-in. It was a goal to gladden any coaches heart! That one came early and it was a long wait for the second. But when Jawwed found the net after a defence-splitting pass it was all over for Korea.

Finally the England - Germany bought together the two first day winners. One of them had to give and it was England who gave way. A well-taken Florian Kunz corner started the German ball rolling and the same player hit home from another set piece before the break.

Nick Taylor was outstanding in goal for England and he was largely responsible for keeping the score at a reasonable level. England created very little themselves and were profligate with the corners they did win failing to get in a meaningful shot.

And so it is Germany who top the table tonight with six points, Pakistan have four, England three, Australia three, Holland one and Korea still to register a point.

Monday is a rest day but all teams are back in action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Saturday, the opening day of the tournament, England beat Korea 4-3, Pakistan and the Netherlands drew 1-1 and Germany beat Australia 2-1.

Complete Coverage: 23rd Men's Champions Trophy 2001