Matt Dawson says "this one hurts a lot".
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The Norths defender knows the Kookaburras played on hockey's biggest stage, fought until the very end of a dramatic Olympic final with Belgium and eventually stood on the Games podium to receive a silver medal in Tokyo.
But a loss via penalty shootout at Oi Hockey Stadium on Thursday night, having been so close to victory and within reach of the ultimate goal, remained a tough one to take.
"It's probably a little bit hard to take at the moment," Dawson told the Newcastle Herald from Japan on Friday morning.
"I'm sure once it sinks in I think we'll realise what we did was pretty special, but at the moment it's difficult."
IN THE NEWS:
The top two teams in the world and the best performers at this tournament crossed paths in what was a fitting battle to be crowned Olympic champions in 2021.
Nothing could split the sides at half-time, but a goal to Belgium's Florent van Aubel in the 32nd minute "probably kicked us into gear a little bit" according to Dawson.
The Kookaburras leveled proceedings early in the fourth quarter when Tom Wickham found the back of the net, but it stayed 1-all.
With no result by the last whistle it went straight to one-on-ones.
Belgium prevailed 3-2, even after a nervous wait when the Aussies were allowed to retake their fifth and final shot.
"It just sucks to lose your last game at an Olympics to be honest and in the way we did, that's one of hardest parts," Dawson said.
There was no extra-time, where Jamie Dwyer's magic moment came from 17 years ago in Australia's sole Olympic title.
Dawson admits the Kookaburras, who hadn't dropped a game throughout their Tokyo campaign, had a penalty shootout go their way against the Netherlands in the quarters earlier that week.
"You pretty much look at the game last night and if we play extra-time we win," Dawson said.
"That's hard to reflect on at the moment but we knew that going in and to make a medal match at all we were on the other side of it.
"So you take the good with the bad sometimes, but this one hurts a lot."
Defensively, he was proud of Australia's efforts in the decider.
"The defense from both teams really stacked up last night," Dawson said.
"Being part of the defensive group we were a little disappointed with how we'd played in a couple of other games.
"A lot of goals directly reflect on us and sometimes it's not our fault. Last night we really wanted to lock it down and try to put on a good show. It's pretty cool we were able to do that."
A third Games in Paris is now the target.
"The next one is only three years away [2024] and that's also pretty exciting," the 27-year-old said.
"There's a major [competition] every year in the lead up to that. Fingers crossed I can get to Paris. Belgium were able to double up and go one better than Rio. Hopefully that's us in a few years time."
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