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Tokyo Olympics: Kookaburras lose gold medal match to Belgium in a thrilling shootout

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Belgium's Florent van Aubel celebrates with teammates after scoring against Australia in the third-quarter of their gold medal match.
Camera IconBelgium's Florent van Aubel celebrates with teammates after scoring against Australia in the third-quarter of their gold medal match. Credit: John Locher/AP

Australia have been denied a historic second Olympic gold medal in a thrilling 3-2 shootout loss to Belgium.

A final-quarter goal from West Australian Tom Wickham ensured the game went into the shootout finish after he levelled the scores following a 32nd minute goal from Florent van Aubel.

Kookaburras goalkeeper Andrew Charter had a game to remember, but was unable to match the saves of his Belgium counterpart Vincent Vanasch, who denied Australia twice in spectacular finish.

It means Australian had to settle for their fourth silver medal and first since 1992, leaving their 2004 gold their sole success.

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Vanasch denied Australian scoring machine Blake Govers in the first one-on-one before Josh Simmonds ran out of time and then Jacob Whetton was denied by the diving stick of the keeper.

Wickham, who came into the team as a reserve just last month, produced his most memorable moment when he deflected a shot from co-captain Aran Zalewski to score in the 47th minute.

The Game AFL 2024

 Tom Wickham scores in the final quarter for Australia against Belgium in the gold medal match.
Camera Icon Tom Wickham scores in the final quarter for Australia against Belgium in the gold medal match. Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images

It came as Australia produced a final quarter to remember, pushing the world No.2 side to the edge to try to claim the win in regulation time.

After a scoreless first half which saw Charter produce a number of incredible saves, van Aubel managed to get his stick to a deflection off the Australian goalkeeper to give his side the lead.

It came after a weight of shots from Belgium, with Antoine Kina denied what looked to be a sure goal by Charter, who saved it with the edge of his stick in the second term.

Still the Belgium side were all over the Kookaburras, who produced just one shot for much of the first three quarters.

Once they did find their feet, Australia were able to produce some quality attacks, with Zalewski and Flynn Ogilvie denied late.

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