The Kookaburras are bound for Beijing in 2008 after defeating New Zealand 3-1 to secure a place in next year's Olympic Games at the Oceania Cup.
The first half was a tight tussle, both teams sharing plenty of the ball.
The Kookaburras drew first blood in the 17th minute when Tasmanian David Guest sent a drag flick flying past the keeper from the Australians second penalty corner. An opportunity to make it 2-0 went begging some 10 minutes later when the Kookaburras failed to convert another penalty corner, Guest missing to the left.
The Kiwis first chance to equalise came in the 27th minute when they were awarded their first penalty corner, defender Josh Hawes making a save on the line. They would only have to wait another six minutes for their next opportunity, this time making it count with David Kosoof sending a back stick shot past keeper Stephen Lambert to make the score 1-1.
The Kookaburras got off to a good start in the second half, the Australians scoring from a penalty corner in the 38th minute, this variation involving a hard drag push to the goal keepers left post deflected high into the net by a diving Bevan George.
Travis Brooks then took the Kookaburras to a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes left on the clock when he was on the receiving end of a defence splitting through ball from Eddie Ockenden who made a strong stealing tackle on the half line. From there the Australians were able to keep the Kiwis from any further score, the final result a 3-1 win to the Kookaburras and a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Kookaburra coach Barry Dancer was both happy and relieved to have won the match and secure a spot at next year's Olympics. "I thought we had a lot more urgency today. Our work rate in the forward line was a big improvement from Friday. I thought our defensive effort and second efforts were able to wear down the opposition."
The win gives the Kookaburras the 5th Oceania Cup.
The team will now head from the Sunshine Coast to their home ports to undertake a high intensity fitness program.
Australia 3 New Zealand 1 (Halftime 1-1)
Australia - David Guest 17m PC; Bevan George 38m PC; Travis Brooks 58m FG
New Zealand - David Kosoof 33m FG
Source: Hockey Australia
