New Delhi: A brilliant field goal late in the match helped strong contenders Australia survive a scare as Jacob Whetton lunged forward and sent a stunning reverse scoop over the head of the Belgian goalkeeper Vincent Vanash to strike the match-winner. Thus Kookaburras logged all three points in the opener of the Hero World Hockey League finals at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Stadium here on Friday afternoon.

After a brace by Kieran Govers, the 68th minute goal put paid to the hopes of Belgium who rallied twice and looked like beating the Aussies once again. Though it was Belgium who had a first look at the rival goal in the very 6th minute, Australia defended well and survived some anxious moments before taking the lead in the 33rd minute when Kieran Govers converted the team’s first short corner and added one more goal in the 48th minute through another set-piece drill.

Though Aussies felt the relief after Govers converted the first goal, the Red Lions drew level immediately in the same minute with a field goal from Tom Boon. It was Thomas Briels who restored parity at 2-2 scoring another field goal for Belgium in the 53rd minutes. But Belgium clearly lost a chance to beat Australia once again after their victory in the league semifinals last year.

The brilliant goal earned Whetton the man of the match award and Rs.25,000 cash.

Receiving the award Jacob Whetton said: “We played well for most of the game but we were a bit scrappy at times. I think we were pumped and containing that is something we must work on.’’

Australian legend and chief coach Richard Charlesworth said: “We played well but for a few minutes. Really the score should have been better.’’ But he conceded that Belgium gave them a scare again. “There is no doubt that Belgium are a good team,’’ he felt.

A visibly disappointed Mark Lammers, the Belgium chief coach, felt that they should have won the match. “Our boys really played well and dominated the game at some points. This was a good game for a win and not a game for a draw. This is a pity for us,’’ he lamented.

Lammers also felt that keeping possession of the ball is very important as Australians were good in counter attacks.

Belgium missed a good chance especially when they were dominating with better ball possession and also failed to score twice when Australia were reduced to 10 men for a few minutes. “We had missed sure chances and lost the chance to gain full points today. When you are playing against a team like Australia, you don’t even have a few minutes of a rest,’’ felt Belgian goal scorer Tom Boon.

Australian Kieran Govers, who plays league games in the Netherlands, was talking about Saturday’s match with the Orange team. “Netherlands are good in turn-overs and we have to watch out re-starts,’’ he said. Australia will take on the Netherlands while Belgium will take on Argentina who beat the Dutch today.

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