Germany Storm Into Semis, Dutch Qualify
PUNE: For the 11th straight edition since 1973, Germany has remained a feature in the WC semi-finals and on Tuesday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium the Bavarians extended their reign of sorts after beating New Zealand 5-2 to take the top spot at the end of the Pool A league matches.
German efficiency was at its peak as they depended on no single player. Rather, all chipped in as their score-sheet radiated with five different names. Germany will now take on England, the second-placed team from Pool B in the semi-finals of the 12th FIH World Cup Hockey tournament on Thursday.
The other semi brings a face-off between top-scoring Australia and three-time champion The Netherlands, who were given a reality check by Korea, the last remaining Asian hope in the tournament. Korea won 2-1, but one more goal would have stirred the European giants no end.
Both Korea and Holland finished with equal 10 points from three wins, a draw and a loss, but the Dutch sailed through following their better goal difference, plus-10 against plus-8 of Korea. There were moments towards the close when Korea had the chance to go 3-1 up and open a route to the semis, but the Netherlands defended solidly and allowed no more breaches in their forte.
Goal machine
The two-time defending world champion Germany looked a much improved side and played with clinical precision. Despite fielding a totally new side, with only three players from the Beijing Olympics gold medal winning team, Germany looked destined to go all the way to defend the title it won at home in Monchengladbach.
Germany, who hadnt lost to Black Sticks in WC competition, had the game in their control right from the start. Florian Fuchs, who scored the second goal in the 28th minute to become Germanys leading goal scorer with four goals, had set up the first goal too for Christoph Menke, who deflected the ball high under the roof.
Germany maintained their domination in the second half too as Jan Philipp Rabente sent a fine cross to Philip Witte on the top of the circle and he just deflected the ball into the cage for 3-0.
The World champions were jolted out of their slumber when New Zealand pumped in two goals in a space of three minutes to make it 2-3 as the match came alive.
In the 51st minute, New Zealand earned their second penalty corner and Shea Mcaleese took a deflected drag flick from Andrew Hayward. Two minutes later, Nicholas Wilson surprised the complacent German defence.
Germans then went flat out and ripped through the Kiwi defence pumping in two more goals.
Dutch shaken
Having drawn against Germany, Dutch were in no mood to let Korea dictate terms. Captain Tuen de Nooijer cut through the Korean defence and set up Ronald Brouwer with a brilliant pass as the Netherlands went 1-0 up.
The Netherlands held on to their lead for most part of the first half before Korea found an equalizer through Hyun Woo Nams drag-flick.
If that did not stir Holland, Sung Hoon Yoon got past Guus Vogels on the top of the circle and found Jong Ho Seo in position. Seo pushed the ball into an empty Dutch goal.
RESULTS:
Germany 5 (Christoph Menke 15th, Florian Fuchs 28th, Philip Witte 47th, Moritz Furste 63rd, Matthias Witthaus 64th) beat New Zealand 2 (Shea McAleese 51st, Nicholas Wilson 54th).
Korea 2 (Hyun Woo Nam 31st, Jong Ho Seo 45th) beat The Netherlands 1 (Ronald Brouwer 1st).
Argentina 3 (Lucas M Vila 29th, Matias Enrique Paredes 43rd, Mario N Almada 56th) beat Canada 2 (Scott Tupper 60th, David Jameson 65th).
Source: www.sakaaltimes.com
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