There is no extra time in Olympic hockey, which meant Australia's tournament hung on a penalty shootout, a cutthroat method to determine a winner.<\/p>\n
However once there, the Kookaburras were ice cold in their execution, delivering the perfect shootout with three goals and three saves to advance to the semi-finals and a guaranteed shot at a medal.<\/p>\n
It was all the sweeter due to the history between these great hockey nations. Five years after losing to the Netherlands during the quarter-finals of the Rio Games, the Kookaburras got their redemption.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Kookaburras goalkeeper Andrew Charter stepped up and became the hero during the penalty shootout as the Dutch failed to find the net on their first three attempts.<\/p>\n
Charter's heroics were backed up by trio Blake Govers, Flynn Ogilvie and Tim Brand, who each scored to send Australia through to the semi-finals where they will face Germany vying for the chance to play for a gold medal.<\/p>\n
"Absolutely amazing to get into a semi-final at the Olympics … it wasn't our best game but we grinded for that one," Brand said.<\/p>\n
"And we've been practising shootouts for a long time after the World Cup three years ago, so to get a win there was very pleasing."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Australian coach Colin Batch lauded the effort of his goalkeeper but admits the Aussies now face a big challenge against Germany, who earlier today defeated Argentina 3-1.<\/p>\n
"He's a very experienced goalkeeper and plays big in big occasions," Batch said of the Charter.<\/p>\n
"We believe we have a number of ways of playing and tactically we've held up over the last couple of years. But it's a huge challenge ahead of us now, the Germans."<\/p>\n
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