England claimed a first ever Champions Trophy victory over Australia in the final match of Pool D here in Amstelveen. Goals from Kate Walsh, Anne Panter and Nicola White were enough for the win, while Australia’s Marnie Hudson scored twice for her side in a close contest.
Germany’s victory over China in the day’s earlier match had already confirmed that Australia and England would face each other in the 5th / 6th Classification Match on Sunday. Even though the final Pool D may have been an unimportant one in terms of the Pool D positioning, it was a chance to gain some knowledge about each other with a small psychological advantage going to the winner.
The first half was reasonably entertaining, with both sides winning penalty corners and having some decent chances from open play. The first goal of the game appeared to arrive in the 34th minute when Marnie Hudson volleyed into the net, but England made a referral to the video umpire who spotted an infringement and the score was subsequently ruled out.
A minute later England were ahead through team captain Kate Walsh, who saw her drag-flick take a wicked deflection from an Australian stick which sent the ball between the legs of Toni Cronk. It was England’s first ever goal against Australia in Champions Trophy hockey, and would help them to what would be their first ever CT victory over the Hockeyroos.
However, England were made to work for their win, especially when Marnie Hudson struck again, this time legally despite another video referral from the England defenders.
Anne Panter moved England ahead once again with a well taken reverse stick shot before Alex Danson produced a moment of magic to set up England’s third for Nicola White.
Hudson scored again in the dying minutes of the match when she slammed in a rebound following an initial strike from Casey Eastham. Despite this, England held on for a victory that they will hope to repeat on Sunday
Review 18. England vs Australia (3-2) - Rabo FIH Champions Trophy 2011
> England play Australia again on Sunday in the Final 5-6.
> England have beaten Australia for the first time in Champions Trophy competition in 4 CT encounters.
> Kate Walsh scored England's first ever Champions Trophy goal against Australia. England had lost all 3 previous CT matches against Australia without scoring a single goal.
> This is England’s first victory over Australia at a major international tournament since winning 2-1 in the semis of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
> Australia’s Marnie Hudson scores her 2nd goal of the match. She joins Casey Eastham and Jodie Schulz as Australia's top goalscorers at Amstelveen 2011 on 2 goals.
