Australia maintained its stranglehold on hockey's Champions Trophy with a 1-0 win over Spain Sunday, claiming a record fourth straight title through a disputed goal to Eddie Ockenden. The reigning world champion went into the decider overwhelming favorite but was forced to work hard for its victory by a Spanish side determined to make amends for a disappointing sixth place at the European Championships. The win at the last major tournament for men's hockey before the London Olympics gave the Kookaburras their 12th Champions Trophy title overall and confirmed their status as the sport's top-ranked team. “I'm very proud to win again and create history with four times in a row,” said Australia captain Jamie Dwyer, who finished the tournament as top scorer with seven goals and was named world player of the year for the fifth time. The final, played in blustery conditions in Auckland, was a defensive affair that only sparked to life when Ockeden netted his winner in the 59th minute. The Spanish argued the goal came from a dangerous Liam De Young high pass and should have been disallowed, but Korean umpire Kim Hong-lae waved aside the protest to give Australia the decisive lead. In the third-place playoff at the eight-nation tournament, the Netherlands held off a dogged challenge from host New Zealand to win 5-3. In the bottom half of the tournament, Pakistan narrowly avoided the wooden spoon, needing an extra-time golden goal from Muhammad Rizwan senior to snatch a 5-4 win over South Korea, while Germany defeated Great Britain 1-0. The win put Germany in fifth place, guaranteeing a spot at next year's Champions Trophy in Argentina, while Pakistan manager Khawaja Junaid said the Green Shirts had benefited from exposure to top teams at the tournament.
