Australian women's title-winning streak ends

AMSTELVEEN, JUNE 2. After a seven-year run, the Australian women's title-winning streak has ended. Australia, the reigning Olympic and World Cup champion, routed South Africa 6-0 at the Champions Trophy hockey tournament yesterday, but failed to earn a berth in the final after the Netherlands blanked Germany 2-0.

Germany and the Netherlands will play in a rematch tomorrow for the championship. Australia will play for the third place against Argentina, which defeated New Zealand 3-1 yesterday.

Despite its latest win, the Aussies failed in a bid for another Champions Trophy title. It had not lost a championship match since 1993.

Dutch striker Fleur van de Kieft guided a deflection past goalkeeper Birgit Beyer in the 31st minute and Susan van der Wielen shot home in the 39th minute during open field play allowing the World Cup silver medallist into the final.

Jenny Morris opened the scoring in the fourth minute and padded the lead in the 14th. Renita Garard, Rechelle Hawkes, Alyson Annan and Karen Smith also scored in the rout.

Argentina defeated New Zealand 3-1 in the other women's league match behind two goals from Vanina Oneto and one from Magdalena Aicega. Lisa Walton scored the lone New Zealand goal.

On the men's side, Olympic and World champion Netherlands scored a rousing 3-1 victory over Australia to clinch a place in the final.

Dutch skipper Stephan Veen scored two goals in the second half to clinch the game and give the Netherlands 12 points from four matches.

Spain and Germany remained in the hunt for a spot in the final with victories in the other men's matches yesterday.

Germany defeated last year's Champions Trophy silver medallist South Korea 3-1, and Spain hammered Britain 5-1.

The right to face the Netherlands in the final will be decided after today's matches in which Spain meets the Netherlands and Germany plays Australia.

The Netherlands took the lead in the 20th minute when Marten Eikelboom scored past goalkeeper Lachlan Dreher.

Australia equalised eight minutes later as Brent Livermore deflected in Michael Brennan's pass.

Veen got into the goal-scoring act by converting a penalty stroke in the 45th minute, and then guided Jeroen Delmee's cross past the outstretched hands of the 'keeper in the 51st minute.

Spain's all-out attack in the second half swept away Britain. Pablo Amat opened Spain's scoring in the 25th minute before Jan Dinares, two goals by Eduard Tabau and a tally from Albert Sala fuelled the rout. David Mathews scored for Britain in the last minute.

Germany got goals from Christoph Eimer, Matthias Witthaus and Oliver Domke before Jeon Jong-Ha scored for South Korea.

- AP

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