Australia wins second in a row against Netherlands
Luke Doerner scored two goals Monday as Australia edged the Netherlands 5-4 for its second consecutive win in a four-test men's field hockey series.
Des Abbott, Jamie Dwyer and Eli Matheson also scored for Australia, which also won the first match 5-4 in Canberra on Sunday. Rob Reckers and Roderick Weusthof scored twice each for the Dutch.
Australia led 4-1 early in the second half but the Netherlands came back to make it close. A diving save by Australia's rookie goalkeeper Nathan Burgers prevented the Netherlands from tying the match with two minutes left.
"We knew they were going to come, they're a quality side so it's always tough when they have a dig and throw another guy forward," Doerner said.
Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans criticized his team for giving away a two-goal lead early in the game.
"That's the most important for the next two matches that we improve the start and don't give them the opportunity," Oltmans said.
The last two tests of the series will be played in Brisbane.