Storm forces abandonment

AMSTELVEEN, MAY 28. Play was abandoned for the day in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament after a storm between 10 and 12 Beaufort scale approached.

``The Police came at 12:00 noon (local time) and told us of the approaching storm and the risk of tents and trees blowing down,'' said Andre Bolhuis, chairman, Royal Dutch Hockey Association. ``This has never happened before in a hockey tournament in Holland,'' he said.

``The Police said: `if you don't cancel play, we will','' according to Maryke Fleuren, vice-president of the Champions Trophy organising committee. The storm was expected to last for six hours.

Four thousand spectators were quickly evacuated from the Wagener stadium without incident and will be able to use their tickets tomorrow. No refunds are contemplated.

The match between Australia and Spain (men) was stopped at half- time. The second half will be played later in the tournament.

A new schedule for all matches is to be issued. ``There is no plan to extend the tournament,'' said Maryke Fleuren.

Aussie women awesome

Australia gave Argentina a hockey lesson, winning 3-0 in the women's tournament on Saturday.

Australia, whose male compatriots had earlier defeated South Korea 2-0 in the men's competition, dominated the first five minutes of play, camped in Argentina's defensive quarter, assaulting the circle and denying Argentina an outlet pass.

Despite dominating possession and field position, and two clear unsuccessful shots on goal from Katrina Powell and Alyson Annan, Argentina withstood the pressure until Triny Powell scored (23rd minute).

A classic display of one-touch hockey had the ball move from Jenny Morris to Angie Skirving, Rechelle Hawkes to Triny Powell, two metres in front of the goal, for the deflection from just inside the circle, giving Australia a 2-0 advantage at the end of the half.

Australia stepped down a gear in the second half, keeping control of the match but with less intensity until the last quarter. Three penalty corners in two minutes had Jenny Morris driving into the goalkeeper each time.

A penalty stroke after the second corner taken by Jenny (57th minute) put the game beyond Argentina at 3-0.

After the goal both teams played out the match, Argentina lacking in commitment to try to get a goal back and Australia prepared to settle for a three-goal advantage.

It's Victory for Australia

In the men's event, Australia's young striker Craig Victory scored both goals in its win over South Korea.

Victory's first goal came from a long pass to him to the left of goal. He hit into goalkeeper Kim Yoon, picked up the rebound and got a deflection off Kim to score from 10 metres out, the ball dribbling into goal with Stephen Davies close behind.

His second goal (20th minute) resulted from the Korean defence giving him room and time to shoot from the top of the circle.

Spain bests Germany

Earlier on Saturday, Germany's men's team lost a closely fought contest 2-1 against Spain. This was a match of familiar rivals, each side well aware of the other's capabilities after frequent encounters.

Christoph Bechmann found Spain's first weakness, receiving a pass from the right, free in the circle, beating Ramon Jufresa in goal with a lightening shot (17th minute).

Josep Sanchez equalised for Spain with a brilliant individual goal, worked into the circle, struck with a back-stick sweep (47th minute).

Spain's outstanding young striker, Eduard Tubau, scored the decider (63rd minute) with a powerful drive from the edge of the circle on the right.

- AFP

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