Australia scores six in bronze medal blowout

(BEIJING, August 23) -- Just as they did in the final match in Athens, Australia defeated the Netherlands with an Olympic medal at stake, this time winning bronze with a 6-2 victory that handed the Dutch Men's Hockey team their first non-podium finish at the Olympics since Barcelona 1992.

Australia, gold medalists at the Athens 2004 Games, rocked the Netherlands with three goals in the opening nine minutes, two from the stick of Eddie Ockenden and the other from Des Abbott. The Netherlands rebounded with goals from Taeke Taekema and Teun de Nooijer but Australia moved clear 4-2 when Ockenden struck his third in the 28th minute.

Australia extended the lead shortly after half-time when Rob Hammond found a way past the Netherlands defense before Luke Doerner sealed the win with a penalty corner conversion in the 61st minute.

Ockenden and Abbott, both 21 and making their Olympic debut, lived up to their billing as stars-in-the-making. Ockenden was his team's most dangerous attacking threat while Abbott scored the goal of the match by slamming in a Jamie Dwyer cross on the wrong foot.

For the Netherlands it was a disappointing end to the careers of quadruple Olympians skipper Jeroen Delmee, Guus Vogels and De Nooijer.