Kookaburras set for Spanish semi clash

21st August 2008

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ROCKHAMPTON hockey stars Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles (pictured) will tonight face-off against Spain to keep alive their dream of back-to-back Olympic gold in Beijing.

The Kookaburras duo, who won gold in Athens four years ago, will once again lead Australia's quest for gold.

In semi-final action at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium tonight, world No.1 Australia will play the team they thrashed 4-1 in this year's Champions Trophy final - Pool A winner Spain.

The defending Olympic champions avoided taking on two-time Olympic champions and current world No.2 Germany, who finished second in Pool A, after a 3-3 draw with Great Britain in their final round-robin game on Tuesday night.

Australia have lost only five of 31 matches against Spain since 2000. In contrast, they have won just 10 of 30 games against Germany in the same period.

In Pool B, Australia finished behind world No.3 the Netherlands who will take on the Germans in what should be an enthralling semi-final encounter.

Australia had their chances in the first half against Great Britain on Tuesday night, forcing British keeper Alistair McGregor to pull off three straight saves in the 20th minute.

But it was Great Britain who drew first blood with just one minute left in the first half.

Normal service appeared to resume when the Aussies first locked up the scores through captain Bevan George from a 40th minute penalty corner and Kiel Brown set up Dwyer five minutes later to make it 2-1.

But the feisty Brits - lifted by a vocal crowd - drew level through Richard Mantell in the 47th before edging ahead eight minutes later when Ben Hawes set up Rob Moore.

The Brits appeared to have pulled off a boilover before the Kookaburras' youngest - 21-year-old gun Eddie Ockenden - converted a Grant Schubert cross just two minutes from fulltime, his third goal of the Olympics.

Kookaburras coach Barry Dancer wasn't happy with his charges and all but accused them of being complacent in their dead rubber.

Dancer said the Australian men had plenty of work to do before tackling the Spanish, admitting there were "four to five" areas to hone.

"We can't be resting on our performances at the Champions Trophy," said Dancer.

Australia came into the Olympics full of confidence after downing Spain to clinch a record-equalling ninth Champions Trophy in Holland recently.

The result also helped Australia leapfrog Germany into world No.1 spot before the Games.

Australia are desperate to leave no stone unturned in their title defence after ending 48 years of frustration and winning an historic first men's hockey gold medal at Athens.