Aussies win hockey Champions Trophy

Chennai: Australia won their eighth Champions Trophy crown in Chennai defeating European powerhouse the Netherlands in the final on Sunday.

The Kookaburras saved their best for the rain-marred final after being undefeated through their five group matches as they overwhelmed the Dutch 3-1.

This win broke a a six-year Champions Trophy title drought for the Olympic champions, which did not compete in last year's event in Pakistan because of security fears.

The win also helped Australia to avenge their defeat in the final to the Netherlands in 2003 and ensured that they finished 2005 as the No. 1 ranked team in the world rankings.

"That was our big goal we set in January, to win here and really knuckle down and set our focus on becoming the best team in the world over the next four years," defender Mark Knowles said.

"The Champions Trophy for this year was the No. 1 tournament, we definitely wanted to win it and we've gone out and done that," he added.

"(After winning Olympic gold in Athens last year) one of the things we wanted to do was to not stand still and let teams catch us and I think we've done that this year."

Australia's eighth title puts it equal with Spain as the most successful nation in the Champions Trophy's 27-year history.

After a string of big game losses to the Dutch in recent years, the Kookaburras have now beaten their arch rivals in successive major tournament finals.

Australia claimed its breakthrough men's Olympic triumph with a Jamie Dwyer goal in sudden-death extra time against the Dutch in Athens.

But it was a far more convincing win, with Matthew Wells putting Australia on top with a penalty corner strike after 20 minutes, and Liam De Young and Dwyer adding field goals in the second half.

Taeke Taekema pegged one back five minutes from fulltime off a Dutch penalty corner - their first for the match - but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

Dwyer was awarded man-of-the-match honours after the final with key defender Bevan George handed the player of the tournament award.

Defending champion Spain finished with the bronze medal after beating World Cup holder Germany, who had come with a young team, 5-2 in the playoff for third spot.