Relieved Kookaburras take the points – Hockey Australia image
It all looked wrapped about five to go, with the Kookaburras 3-1 up against previously unbeaten India in last night’s Champions Trophy match at Breda in the Netherlands.
Then it was back to 3-2, then, in the blood pressure killer, a short corner to India with 57 seconds on the clock. The green and golds kept it out.
Their reward: to overnight play the Netherlands, who are playing some genuinely extraordinary hockey and are very much the team to beat for the tournament.
As Sutho’s man in the stands at Breda described them: ” The Dutch men are just awesome. Probably extra terrestrials. Their skills at speed and intensity is unbelievable – they hardly ever seem to make a mistake.”
Factoid: The Dutch are coached by Max Caldas, who as many Sutho supporters of a certain age would remember, had a stint with Moorebank.
Anyway, the video highlights, compliments FIH: