Brave New Zealand beaten by Australia
Australia 2-1 New Zealand

New Zealand’s Black Sticks produced a magnificent performance in front of 3500 cheering spectators but sadly fell to a 2-1 defeat against Australia in the final match of the day here at the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy.  

The host nation entered the match knowing that it was already mathematically impossible to reach the tournament final following Spain’s victory over The Netherlands earlier in the day, but were extremely motivated to get one over the world number one ranked team on home soil. The crowd roared and cheered with every decision throughout as fascinating contest that saw long periods of domination from the Black Sticks, but in the end they could not get the result that they wanted.

Australia almost took the lead inside the ten minute mark when Tim Deavin hit the frame of the goal with a chipped effort from a tight angle before the Kookaburras netted the opening in the 14^th minute. Des Abbott will go down as the scorer, but his cross was going wide of the target before taking a wicked deflection of a New Zealand stick and flying into the goal.

The Black Sticks hit back four minutes from half time and it was no more than they deserved. Nick Wilson showed a calm head in the circle to win a penalty corner that was gloriously slotted away by Andrew Hayward.

Australia almost took the lead just before half time when Eddie Ockenden cracked a rocketing reverse stick shot towards the top corner only for Kyle Pontifex to pull out a wonderfully instinctive glove save to maintain parity at the break.   

Aside from a fine shot from newly crowned FIH Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer, New Zealand dominated long spells of the second half but found no way through a solid Australian defence. Kookaburras keeper Andrew Charter made two stunning saves to keep his side alive before Australia scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 58^th minute. Eddie Ockenden sent a cross from within the circle that was deflected into the goal via a New Zealand stick. It proved to be the last goal of the game, although the Black Sticks went agonisingly close to tying the scores with an overtime penalty corner which flew just wide of the target.

The Kookaburras have now won their last 13 Champions Trophy matches, which is the longest winning streak in Champions Trophy history.  

Australia – New Zealand 2-1 - Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy Men 2011 

> Australia have qualified for a Champions Trophy final match for a record 13th time.
> New Zealand will play in the third place play-off for the first time in CT history.
> Australia have won all 5 of their matches at Auckland 2011
> The Kookaburras are now on a 13-match winning streak in CT competition. This is the longest winning streak in CT history.
> Australia failed to convert their only PC of the match. They are now on 5 for 20 penalty corners.
> New Zealand converted 1 of 8 PCs in this match, more than they have had in all previous 4 matches at Auckland 2011. They are now on 3 for 15 in terms of penalty corners converted.
> Des Abbott scored his 2nd goal of the tournament. He also netted the winning goal in the first game against Spain (3-2)
> Andy Hayward scored his 3rd PC goal. At last year's CT he netted 4 times, all from penalty corners.
> Andy Hayward is New Zealand’s all-time top scorers in CT competition on 7 goals.

Australia – New Zealand (10 Dec 2011, 18:05) - Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy Men 2011

Head-to-heads

> Australia are unbeaten in 4 CT matches against New Zealand (2 wins – 2 draws).
> Their last CT encounter came last year, when the Kookaburras handed the Black Sticks their biggest defeat in CT competition (9-1).
> The last time NZL avoided defeat against Australia in CT competition was in 1984 (2-2).
> These teams last faced each other in October 2011 at the Oceania Cup in Hobart.
> New Zealand won the first match 3-0. This marked their first win over Australia in 12 years, since a 3-2 victory in the Oceania Cup Qualifier in May 1999.
> The second match was tied at 3-3 and Australia won the third match (6-1) to claim the 2011 Oceania Cup.

Australia Facts

> Australia have qualified for a Champions Trophy final match for a record 13th time and are well on their way to become the first team to win four successive Champions Trophy titles.
> Australia have won all 4 of their matches at Auckland 2011.
> At Monchengladbach 2010 the Kookaburras won the CT title by winning all 6 matches.
> Australia have won 12 successive CT matches, since losing 3-1 to Germany on 3 December 2009. This is the longest winning streak in CT history.
> Australia are ranked 1st in the world. They are the reigning Champions Trophy and World champions.
> Jamie Dwyer tops the goalscorer list after Day 4 on 7 goals (all from open play).
> Dwyer can join four players who have scored at least 10 goals in a single CT tournament: Paul Litjens (NED) 15 in 1980 and 11 in 1981, Wolfgang Strödter (GER) 12 in 1980, Florian Kunz (GER) 10 in 2001 and Jorge Lombi (ARG) 10 in 2003.
> Dwyer is now on 25 CT career goals. Only Australians to have scored more CT goals are Mark Hager (32) and Stephen Davies (28).
> Australia are on 17 goals after Day 4, equal most with Spain.
> The Kookaburras have converted 5 of 19 penalty corners awarded (26%).
> Australia have conceded one penalty corner goal (12 PCs have been awarded to their opponents).
> Australia have conceded fewest goals (6) after 4 matchdays.
> Jamie Dwyer and Eddie Ockenden are nominated for Men’s FIH Player of the Year. Matthew Swann is on the shortlist for Young Player of the Year.

New Zealand Facts

> New Zealand can only reach the final if Spain do not beat Netherlands in Match #19, if the Kiwis beat Australia and if their goal difference is better than the goal difference of the other team on 4 points in Pool C.
> In the last 7 CT tournaments the hosts reached the final only once; Australia won at Melbourne 2009.
> The Black Sticks have secured a top 4 CT finish for the first time since finishing 4th in 1978, when the Champions Trophy was first held.
> New Zealand recorded their biggest CT win ever by beating Korea 6-1 on Day 2. In that game the Black Sticks also broke their record for most goals scored in a CT match.
> The Black Sticks are on 2 for 7 in terms of penalty corners converted (28%).
> New Zealand have conceded 2 PC goals from 16 penalty corners awarded to their opponents.
> Phillip Burrows, Andy Hayward, Blair Hilton and Shea McAleese are New Zealand’s top goalscorers so far this tournament at 2 goals each.
> Andy Hayward is New Zealand’s all-time top scorers in CT competition on 6 goals. Nick Wilson is on 5 goals. Simon Child and Phillip Burrows are on 4 CT career goals.