Kookaburras into semi-final
03/06/2010 08:16:39 PM
The Kookaburras have all but booked a spot at the 2010 Hockey World Cup semi-finals after beating Spain 2-0 in India on Saturday night.
Australia now plays Pakistan on Monday.
With one game remaining in the preliminary round, the Kookaburras are in second place on the Pool B points table and are now one game ahead of Spain with a superior goal difference.
The Kookaburras started the match strongly, making genuine shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes.
Striker Grant Schubert was handed a golden opportunity when he found himself alone in front of the goal, but couldn't control the ball and it remained 0-0.
Spain itself had an opportunity to score early in the match after it was awarded a penalty corner at the seven-minute mark. But defender Kiel Brown saved the powerful flick.
The Kookaburras grabbed the lead when Victorian Luke Doerner converted his sixth penalty corner goal for the tournament.
Doerner then turned his hand to defence, saving a Spanish attempt from a penalty corner.
Glenn Turner scored Australia's second goal at the 60-minute.
Australia will next play Pakistan on Monday 8 March.
In Saturday's other match, England also claimed a place in the semi-finals after beating hosts India 3-2.