Australia have finished fourth in the Hockey World Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Spain in the third-place playoff between the losing semi-finalists.
Australia’s Jodie Kenny and Spain’s Begona Garcia challenge for the ball during the bronze medal match of the Women’s Hockey World Cup at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Sunday.
Maria Lopez Garcia and Berta Bonastre put Spain up 2-0 with goals in the 11th and 14th minutes, respectively, at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Sunday.
The fifth-ranked Hockeyroos responded with close range tap-in from Kathryn Slattery in the 40th minute, but Alicia Magaz's strike 11 minutes later sealed victory and bronze for the world No.11 Spanish team.
Australia lost their semi-final to the Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Saturday after the match ended 1-1 and Hockeyroos defender Jodie Kenny says her side couldn't quite rediscover the form it showed against the Dutch.
"It was a shame we couldn't replicate that match," she said.
"We were up and about and ready for it and we were just outplayed. It's extremely disappointing to end up fourth but in the overall scheme it's a good effort from us.
"I think there's a lot to be proud of in how we played. We matched up against some of the best teams in the world and played some really amazing hockey. But we're disappointed we couldn't finish it at the business end."
In the final, the Netherlands proved too strong for an upstart Ireland side that surprised all by making it to the decider, the favoured Dutch winning 6-0 to retain their title.
In the bronze medal match, Spain started the stronger side and their first strike came when Lopez's powerful drag flick was deflected slightly off Kenny and past Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachael Lynch in the 11th minute.
Three minutes later Beatriz Perez broke into the right side of the circle before cutting back to Bonastre who easily swept in her third goal of the tournament.
Lynch was then forced into saving Magaz's skillful touch off Lola Riera's drive into the circle in the 38th minute.
Just after Spaniard Lucia Jimenez was green carded, Australia tried to find a way back into the game.
Hockeyroo Emily Hurtz found space to pass to Emily Smith who lobbed towards goal with Slattery helpfully tapping in in the 40th minute.
The Netherlands celebrate their World Cup win over Ireland in the final.
Magaz again tested Lynch on the stroke of three-quarter time, but the Spanish attacker could not be denied in 51st minute after Perez's neat lead up play.
In the gold medal match, Ireland’s first Hockey World Cup final ended in an defeat as favourites the Netherlands retained their title with an emphatic 6-0 victory.
The Irish team, the second lowest ranked country in the competition, upset the odds to reach the last two but were unable to produce a fairy-tale ending at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre.
Goals from Lidewij Welten, Kelly Jonker, Kitty van Male, Malou Pheninckx, Marloes Keetels and Caia van Maasakker capped a dominant performance from the Dutch as they won the competition for a record eighth time.
Graham Shaw’s underdogs began brightly but did not manage a shot at goal until the final quarter and the tournament favourites – who lifted the trophy on home soil four years ago – soon showed their superiority.
AAP, PA
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