Australia and Britain in exciting draw

AMSTELVEEN, MAY 30. Troy Elder for Australia and Guy Fordham for Britain each scored twice in an entertaining 3-3 draw at the men's tournament of the Champions Trophy here today.

Britain took the first strike on goal, followed by Russell Garcia's drag-flick penalty corner attempt, but the shots lacked fire and conviction. Twice Britain's passes inside the circle went over the backline, pushed to the space vacated by its striker.

Elder's first goal in the sixth minute was Australia's fourth shot on goal in as many minutes. Matthew Smith made Elder's second goal in the 22nd minute, carrying from the centre line to the edge of the circle and firing to the right of goal at waist height. Elder slid in from the right, caught the ball in mid- flight to deflect into goal.

Britain lifted its game, striking back with a penalty corner conversion. Calum Giles' drag flick was deflected down by Damon Diletti in Australia's goal to Guy Fordham who put the rebound in in the 26th minute for Britain's first goal of the tournament.

Britain came back again to level the score at 2-2 through Fordham in the 28th minute, given room to move in the circle after a rare lapse by Australia's defence.

Brent Livermore put Australia ahead 3-2 in the 31st minute after his attack moved the ball down the right, worked into the circle and found Livermore free for a clear shot past Simon Mason in goal.

Britain started the second half with attractive, purposeful and organised moves for the first five minutes, getting two clear shots on goal to the side of the net and saved by Diletti.

Australia then camped in the British half for 10 minutes, Stephen Holt, Jay Stacy, Matthew Smith and Troy Elder all taking unsuccessful shots on goal. When Britain broke out, James Wallis and then Duncan Woods failed to put away shots following constructive lead-up work through the right side of the midfield.

At the other end Britain's goalkeeper, Simon Mason, thwarted hard shots from Smith and James Elmer. Australia started to cruise in the last five minutes and was punished with the equaliser by Daniel Hall who took a rebound of Mark Pearn's shot saved by Diletti.

Germany, Argentina post upset wins

On Monday, penalty-corner specialist Britta Becker's last-minute conversion enabled Germany score a 2- 1 upset over Olympic and World champion Australia in the women's tournament.

Becker's chipped penalty corner shot deflected into the goal off defender Renita Gerard 10 seconds from the end to give Germany its third straight win in the tournament.

Australia took the lead in the 19th minute when Katrine Powell drove home a penalty corner rebound. Germany levelled in the 31st minute on Heike Latzsch's shot off a penalty corner.

In another upset, Argentina, the silver medallist in the 1994 World Cup in Dublin, stunned Olympic and World Cup silver medallist Netherlands, 1-0, despite wasting a penalty stroke.

The match winner for Argentina came in the 60th minute when Maria de la Paz Hernandez sounded the board with a firm shot after a penalty corner drive had been blocked by the goalkeeper.

South Africa drew 1-1 with New Zealand in the other women's match of the day. Pietie Coetzee converted a penalty corner in the 17th minute for South Africa and Skippy McGregor equalised for New Zealand two minutes from half-time.

Dutch men beat South Korea

In the men's matches, Olympic and World champion Netherlands defeated South Korea 1-0 and Germany blanked Britain 4-0.

The holder, Australia, was held 1-1 by Olympic silver medallist Spain in the match rescheduled due to rainstorms on Sunday.

- AP

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