Amsterdam (Netherlands), Aug 24: Australia defeated Netherlands 2-1 to win the women's four nations cup field hockey tournament here yesterday and gain revenge for the spot of rough justice they claimed they suffered against the same opponents on Friday. In the round-robin clash, which was won 1-0 by the Dutch in the last 10 seconds, the Australians complained that their opponents had not stood five metres clear of the free hit outside the circle from which they scored.
As a result, the Aussies came fired up to win yesterday and they secured a half-time 2-0 lead through goals by Peta Gallagher and Megan Rivers with more aggressive play by the strikers in the circle and more commitment to tackles by the midfield than occurred in Friday's match.
Australia soaked up the pressure in the third quarter as the Dutch gained quality possession six times in Australia's circle and earning two penalty corners without result.
In the last ten minutes, the Netherlands came back at Australia again with skipper Mijntje Donners playing all over the pitch in an attempt to gain three goals to win.
Donners finished a pass from Maartje Scheepstra on the right who had worked possession into the circle to pass on to Donners to score. Bureau Report