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Sunday, 28 July, 2002, 14:19 GMT 15:19 UK
Kookaburras close in on semis
Australia 4-1 South Africa
Commonwealth champions Australia outshone their nearest group rivals South Africa to all but secure a semi-final spot.
Under the baking sun of the Belle Vue hockey centre, Ray Dorsett's men ran their opponents ragged in a superb second-half display.
It took 20 minutes though before Matt Smith opened the scoring from a penalty corner and a rout was on the cards after the Kookaburras peppered Chris Hibbert's goal.
But the South Africans held on up to half-time.
Following the interval, Australia moved up a gear, with Jamie Dwyer doubling their account after 40 minutes followed by a Craig Victory goal, stealing in after Hibbert parried a long-range effort.
Ben Taylor rounded off the Australian scoring moments later before Justin King's penalty stroke gave the South Africans a consolation goal.
Australia now face Barbados in their final group game.
Despite an earlier group game that saw South Africa beat the minnows 10-1, Victory told BBC Sport Online that just getting through the final match was the key concern.
"I think what we do is up to the coach. I can imagine it will be more about winning and preserving ourselves for the semis. Maybe we can work on patterns and tactics."
The 22-year-old added that he was glad to be playing in the sun after having been told that Manchester was a wet place.
"We are actually thrilled at the weather. We heard back home and at the athletes' village that it isn't usually like this," he said.
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