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Monday, 29 July, 2002, 12:17 GMT 13:17 UK
Awesome Australia rout Malaysia
Australia 18-0 Malaysia
The Hockeyroos put in a merciless display of attacking hockey to destroy Malaysia in their Pool One game, with three players netting hat-tricks.
Not satisfied with an 8-0 half-time lead they added a further 10 in the second half as nine of their 13 outfield players used all got on the scoresheet.
Outclassed Malaysia never touched the ball in Australia's circle, such was the total dominance of the defending Commonwealth champions.
Nikki Hudson hit an eight-minute hat-trick in the first half but that was bettered by Ngaire Smith after the break as she netted four in 18 minutes - having previously scored only seven in 30 matches.
Louise Dobson cracked in a hat-trick of penalty corners with Karen Smith and Jo Banning both getting two apiece, and Binca Netzler, Brooke Morrison, Bianca Langham Pritchard and Julie Towers adding the others.
After the match, Dobson defended the rights of nations like Malaysia to play in the Commonwealth Games.
"I don't think it makes a mockery of the Games. It is great for us to be able to play against these countries," said the 29-year-old defender.
"In Kuala Lumpur (at the last Games) we had the chance to play one of the Caribbean sides and after the game we were swapping sticks and giving them gear and you don't get that sort of thing at the Olympic Games.
"For that reason it is great memories like that that you can take away from the Commonwealth Games."
Australia go through to the semi-finals of the competition with a 100% record, having beaten South Africa and Scotland as well as Malaysia to top their group.
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