Australia end World Cup final hoodoo with defeat of Germany

LUKE Doerner's second-half penalty handed Australia their first Hockey World Cup title for 24 years as they downed defending champions Germany in Delhi.

There was a hint of controversy with the winner as Australia were awarded the penalty corner after appealing that the ball struck a German foot in the circle.

But having finished second best to Germany in the past two World Cup finals, there was a sense it was Australia's turn in Delhi and few would begrudge Australia their 2-1 victory.

Australia had started the tournament slowly, slipping to a 3-2 defeat to England, but grew with confidence with every match and came into the final high in confidence, despite their unfavourable record from the last two World Cups.

And while the young German side had impressed in India, going undefeated through the group stage before ending England's title hopes with a 4-1 semi final defeat, they were found out in the final, unable to deal with their opponents' consistently high tempo.

Edward Ockenden handed Australia the perfect start, prodding home in the sixth minute after a goal mouth scramble, and the world number two team held on to their lead until the interval.

The Australians barraged German goalkeeper Tim Jessulat's goal and came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage three minutes into the second half when Doerner's penalty corner was somehow kept out by a combination of Jessulat and Germany captain Maximillian Muller.

But the Germans fashioned their fair share of chances and after threatening a number of times in the first half, grabbed an equaliser, 13 minutes into the second period.

Moritz Furste eventually scored the goal, scooping home a well-worked penalty corner past Australian goalkeeper Nathan Burgers.

But, just as it looked like Germany were starting to establish a foothold in the game, Australia appealed an apparent kick to referee John Wright and the video referral handed them a penalty corner which Doerner made no mistakes in hammering past Jessulat.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands sent England home empty-handed as they recovered from 3-1 down to capture bronze with a 4-3 win.

Rogier Hofman scored the late winner for the Dutch as England were left scratching their heads over their Jekyll and Hyde performance in Delhi.