Paris 2024 Olympics: Kookaburras’ campaign ends in quarter-finals with 2-0 loss to Netherlands
The Australian men’s hockey team‘s run at the Paris 2024 Olympics ended in the quarter-finals after they went down 2-0 to the Netherlands in the early hours on Monday.
For the Netherlands, third in hockey rankings, Duco Telgenkamp (35’) and Thijs van Dam (52’) got on the scoresheet. The Kookaburras, world No. 6, had their share of chances but failed to capitalise.
The Netherlands had lost the same fixture at Tokyo 2020 to bow out in the quarter-finals after a shootout. The Kookaburras, meanwhile, went on to win the silver medal.
At the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, the opening quarter saw both teams cancelling out each other’s attacks. Blake Glovers’ attempt from a penalty corner nearly put the Kookaburras ahead, but keeper Pirmin Blaak made the save.
The Dutch upped the ante in the second quarter and created the better chances. Skipper Thierry Brinkman nearly put them ahead with two chances via penalty corners, but the Aussie defence remained disciplined.
The Netherlands’ pressure finally paved the way to a well-deserved lead early in the third quarter. Duco Telgenkamp’s drag flick from a penalty corner took a little deflection before finding its way through keeper Andrew Charter.
The Kookaburras started seeing more of the ball as the Dutch started committing lesser men forward to save their lead. However, the Netherlands continued to create some big opportunities on the counter and eventually doubled their lead in the final 10 minutes.
Thijs van Dam made a terrific solo run into the D and despite losing his balance, he got his shot away well enough to beat the keeper. This goal sealed the deal for the Dutch, who managed to see through the final minutes without much trouble.
The Netherlands have progressed to the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey tournament, where they will face world No. 8 Spain.
While the men’s campaign ended, the Australian women’s hockey team will be in action in their quarter-finals on Tuesday.