World champions Australia booked their place in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia after they held on to defeat Great Britain 2-1 on Thursday in a top-of-the-table clash. The Australians could meet great rivals New Zealand in the final at the weekend after the Kiwis kept their slim hopes alive with a 7-3 demolition of India.
That means co-defending champions India have surrendered their crown. With 13 points from five matches, Australia top the standings with an unassailable lead, but coach Ric Charlesworth said there was still room for improvement. "I cannot say that I am happy with the performance," he said. Australia took the lead in the 8th minute off their first penalty corner when Brent Dancer's drag flick sailed into the net despite James Fair getting a foot to it in the Great Britain goal.
In the 28th minute Australia went 2-0 up thanks to another penalty corner goal, this time by Christopher Ciriello. Great Britain raised their game slightly in the second-half, but still made too many mistakes, conceding a number of penalty corners. However Australia failed to put them away to seal the match.
In the 58th minute, Great Britain pulled a goal back through a penalty corner by Richard Mantell. They chased the equaliser but it was not to be. Great Britain coach Jason Lee said his team failed to take their chances, but stressed they were still in the hunt to face Australia again in the final at the weekend.
"We had a chance to score and at least come away with a point," Lee said. "It is disappointing that we couldn't play better as we had ample rest to prepare for the match. It was a scrappy affair, but the Australians did well to win. "Still, we remain in the title race and we have to beat South Korea on Saturday. It is there for us to make the final and I believe the players will be determined to win as well."
Australia will most likely meet either Great Britain or Pakistan in the final. Both have nine points. If both teams win their last matches Saturday it will be decided by goal difference or if that proves indecisive a shoot-out between the two teams. However, New Zealand are just about alive in the tournament after they destroyed a disappointing India. The Kiwis will squeeze into the final if they win their last game and Great Britain and Pakistan both lose.
Former powerhouse India, who now may not even make the third/fourth play-off, took the lead through Sunil Sowmarpet in the 20th minute But that was as good as it got for India and they conceded five goals in a spectacular second-half collapse. South Korea, who shared the honours last year with India after the final was washed out, also crashed out of contention as they were defeated 3-1 by the hosts. It was Malaysia's first victory.
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