'Domination': Fans erupt over brutal Aussie act at the Olympics
Australia's men have sealed a spot in the semi-finals of the field hockey at the Tokyo Olympic Games after a heart-stopping quarter-final thriller against the Netherlands.
Kookaburras goalkeeper Andrew Charter starred in a tense penalty shootout showdown after the match ended 2-2 after the full-time whistle.
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Taken to shootouts after scores were locked in sauna-like conditions in Tokyo, Charter saved the first three Dutch attempts.
In a brutal display of domination, all three Australian players to step up for their attempts scored, in a flawless display when it mattered most.
Blake Govers, Flynn Ogilvie and then Tim Brand all held their nerve in their one-on-one contests to put Australia within one win of the gold medal game.
The victory was extra sweet given they were dumped from the same stage by the Dutch 4-0 in Rio five years ago.
The edge-of-your-seat contest and the clutch manner of the Kookaburras victory left fans gushing on social media.
Come on!
Australia 3 - Netherlands 0.
Total penalty shootout domination!!— Dave Miers ن (@davemiers) August 1, 2021
what a class show @HockeyAustralia.
such calm and composure during the penalty shoot-offs. @AUSOlympicTeam @FIH_Hockey #hockey #olympics #Australia— Aswin Nair (@ash_troid) August 1, 2021
#Hockey#Australia defeat #NED in an incredible penalty shootout in the quarterfinals! #AUS - ✅ ✅✅#NED - 🚫 🚫🚫
They will face Germany in the Semifinals! #HockeyTwitter #Hockey #Tokyo2020 #Olympics— FirstSportz (@SportzFirst) August 1, 2021
Revenge at last.
The @Kookaburras through to the semi-finals where they will play play Germany after defeating the Netherlands.
Goal-keeper Andrew Charter the hero, as Australia won the penalty shootout 3-0 after locked 2-2 at full time.
Tim Brand finished in style #Olympics pic.twitter.com/o91cGhIlV3— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 1, 2021
WHAT A GAME IN THE FIELD HOCKEY
Australia sneak past the Netherland on penalties
they will face Germany in the semifinal#Hockey | #Tokyo2020— Josiah 🧦🥑 (@stack_janton99) August 1, 2021
What brilliant goalkeeping by Andrew Lewis Charter in the penalty shoot-out. Australia through to semi-finals. #Hockey
— Ujwal (@UjwalKS) August 1, 2021
Australia sets up semi-final against Germany
Chasing a second men's hockey gold medal, the world No.1 side had dominated their group stage with four wins and a draw.
They looked on track after Tom Wickham finished a clever Brand cross for the opening goal, the Kookaburras dominating 64 per cent of possession in the first half.
But the Dutch hit another gear in the third quarter, rewarded when Mink van der Weerden's drag flick snuck through Charter's stoic defence.
Wickham had two goals just minutes later but a yellow card to Dylan Martin suddenly changed the complexion.
Jeroen Hertzberger made no mistake with his penalty stroke after a shot had hit a Kookaburras' body on the line.
Teams played out a tense final 10 minutes before Charter, who had made a brilliant stick save in the opening minutes, came to the fore.
Australia will play Germany in a Tuesday semi-final, after they easily beat defending Olympic champions Argentina 3-1 in the first quarter-final.
with AAP
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