Netherlands v. Germany 3-1 (half-time: 1-1)
The win guarantees the Dutch their seventh-consecutive
top four finish and puts the defending Olympic champion, Germany, in
peril of not cracking into the semi-finals. The Germans need to pick up
at least one point in their game on Tuesday against New Zealand or
hope for a Korean loss to make the playoffs.
Germany took the lead just two minutes into action on its first
penalty corner chance. Christopher Zeller easily hit the mark on the
chance to give the Germans the early 1-0 advantage, it would be the last
that they would hold the advantage as the Dutch sparked back to life
and never looked back. The lead lasted for just over 10 minutes when Bob
de Voogd scooped up a rebound and fired in the second-chance shot to
tie the game at one.
de Nooijer’s go-ahead goal came just moments into the
second half as he was waiting by the far post for a spot on pass and
gave the Dutch the 2-1 lead and more importantly the momentum to open
the half, The Netherlands quickly built on their lead when Mink van der
Weerden went top shelf on a penalty corner to open up a 3-1 lead.
The pace was fast and furious in the second half as the teams treated
the sold out Riverbank Arena to end-to-end action. Germany did it’s
best to climb back into the game, but the two-goal lead was too much to
overcome as the Netherlands booked their semi-final ticket.
Germany closes its preliminary round action with the
last game of the day on Tuesday against New Zealand, while the
Netherlands will take on Korea in what are the two essential games for
the semi-final picture in Group B
(Eric Bailey)
India vs. Korea: 1-4 (half-time: 1-1)
Korea were promptly all over the Indian defense and
Jang Jong Hyun opened the scoring on their first penalty-corner with an
unstoppable flick under the crossbar. India reacted immediately and
Gurwinder Singh Chandi equalized on a cross from Dharamvir Singh that
eluded the Korean defense. They nearly scored again soon after on a
similar move, with a ball stolen in midfield by Sardar Singh and
relayed by Dharamvir Singh, but Lee Myung Ho in the Korean goal was up
to the task this time.
Despite the rain hammering down the pitch and a storm brewing
overhead, both teams maintained an attacking style with chances at both
ends. Dharamvir Singh, very active today, had the Indian fans on their
feet when he tried to reach a ball rolling tantalizingly close to the
goal line, but a Korean defender intervened in the nick of time. They
thought that they had scored on a penalty-corner with 4 minutes to go in
the period, but the shot was deemed high. Sandeep hit the crossbar on
the next attempt and the Korean defense cleared the third one, and
halt-time was reached on par 1-1.
Second period was fast and furious, with end-to-end
moves from both teams. Seo Jong Ho had a good chance after receiving
the ball deep behind the defense, but he slipped when trying to turn
around for the shot. Sardar Singh was all over the pitch for India,
carrying the ball into the Korean circle and cleaning up in defense in
the next breath. Dharamvir Singh had a few additional close misses, and
it was finally the Koreans who broke the deadlock by Nam Hyun Woo on a
swift penalty-corner option and a flick that shaved the post, out of
reach of PR Sreejesh who had replaced Bharat Kumar Chetri in the Indian
goal at half-time.
With time passing and a forth defeat looming large, India threw
caution to the wind, using Sandeep Singh in a high forward position. The
gambit was nearly successful, but not quite, and Lee Seung Il took
advantage of the depleted Indian defense to crucify PR Sreejesh for a
third goal. Nam Hyun Woo added another goal, his second of the match, on
a penalty-corner earned on the buzzer, to push Korea to a comfortable
victory and the third place in Pool B, leaving India dejected and still
pointless in the competition.
(Yan Huckendubler)
New Zealand vs. Belgium: 1-1 (half-time: 0-0)
Belgium were the faster in action and Kyle Pontifex in
goal for New Zealand was called three times into action in the opening
minutes. New Zealand managed to weather the initial storm, including on a
penalty-corner, and play soon became more balanced. Belgium had a few
more dangerous chances and Pontifex was the busiest player on the pitch.
Play remained fast and entertaining for the whole first period, with
chances at both ends. Belgium had a powerful push in the last ten
minutes of the period and New Zealand were clearly back on their heels.
They were at a point down to 9 players on the pitch after two green
cards, and Belgium peppered the goal with shots, but Pontifex once again
kept the Black Sticks afloat with some steady saves.
The same pattern resumed in second period, Pontifex
having to make a save in the opening minute. The end-to-end action was
keeping the crowd roaring, but it is only in the 50th minute that the
Belgian fans could cheer in earnest, when Tom Boon was at the conclusion
of a series of quick passes in the circle to lift the ball over the
Black Sticks’ goalkeeper. Belgium could have increased the score soon
after on a penalty-corner but Jerome Dekeyser’s flick was not powerful
enough.
New Zealand came back in the match soon after by Nicholas Wilson
after a strong solitary progression on the back line, and it was back to
square one for the two teams. Both teams played for the win and action
was fast and furious until the end, but the defense did not flinch.
With rain starting to pour on the Riverbank Arena, New
Zealand had a last chance in the final minute but Andrew Hayward’s flick
hit the post and the teams had to share the points of the contest,
leaving them both with one win, one draw and two losses in the
standings.
(Yan Huckendubler)
