Dutch oust Aussies on penalties

The Dutch celebrate a rare penalties victory

Defending champions Holland moved into the Olympic hockey final after they won 5-4 on penalties in an epic semi-final against Australia.

Despite the fiercely partisan support, neither side could manufacture a goal during 70 minutes of normal time and 15 minutes of extra time.

With so much at stake, the intensity of the match moved to another level as both side's waited anxiously for the penalty takers to be allocated amongst them.

Both side's converted their first four penalties with Bram Lomans, Wouter van Pelt, Piet-Hein Geeris, Stephan Veen scoring for Holland, while Michael Brennan, Troy Elder, Adam Commens and James Elmer duly obliged for Australia.

But when Marten Eikelboom scored Holland's fifth, the pressure mounted on Brent Livermore to score to keep his side in the game.

Brilliantly saved

But the midfielder's stroke was brilliantly saved by Dutch keeper Ronald Jansen, who was mobbed by his compatriots as Livermore sank to his knees.

Many of the on-rushing Dutch players were in a similar position to the Australians when they lost to Pakistan, but a shock win by Great Britain over Germany kept their hopes alive.

This is a tragic way for any team to go out of a tournament, especially one that has performed so well

  Terry Walsh

"We were lost after the Pakistan game, but we are mentally strong as a team and we all decided that we would do our best to finish the tournament strongly," said Netherlands captain Stephan Veen.

Cruel defeat

But for Australia, the cruel defeat represents another blow for the elusive gold after having finished second in three Olympics and third at two since 1964.

A shattered Australian coach, Terry Walsh, believed his side were denied in the worst possible fashion.

He said: "This is a tragic way for any team to go out of a tournament, especially one that has performed so well."

The reigning champions will now face surprise package South Korea, who advanced into the final after a shock 1-0 victory over Pakistan.