Intro:

Australia beat host nation the Netherlands 6-1 in the final of the men's hockey World Cup in the Hague on Sunday (June 15th) to successfully defend their title.

Script:

The men's hockey World Cup reached its conclusion on Sunday with defending champions Australia facing three-time former winners, and tournament hosts, the Netherlands.

To the delight of the home supporters, it was the Dutch side that opened the scoring in the 14th minute - Jeroen Hertzberger with a precision backhand blast from just inside the shooting circle.

Their lead only stood for six minutes though, and after Chris Ciriello levelled from a penalty corner, team-mate Kieran Govers put Australia in front for the first time in the 24th minute with an outrageous, first-time backhand shot.

Glenn Turner doubled the 'Kookaburras'' lead two minutes into the second half and Ciriello effectively sealed the win with a pair of goals from penalty corners in the 47th and 53rd minute, completing his hat-trick in the process.

Jamie Dwyer then fittingly sealed a 6-1 win on the day he joined Jay Stacy as Australia's most capped player with 321 international appearances, completing the scoring in the 64th minute.

Australia, who were playing in their fourth successive World Cup final, won the title for a third time in total having first lifted the silverware back in 1986.