Korea v. Germany 0-1 (0-1 half-time)
Christopher Zeller’s picture perfect drag-flick zoning in on the inside of the stick-side post in the 30th minute
proved all that could separate Germany and Korea in the final game of
the day. How they managed to maintain that advantage to the finish owed a
huge amount to Max Mueller and Max Weinhold at the back while You Hyo
Sik missed a couple of great chances to level the tie. It leaves Germany
with two wins from two, level with the Netherlands, while Korea are
three points back after the day’s play.
After
Korea had started well, Germany grew into the first half. Oskar Deecke
could not apply the full weight of a lusty swing to a decent chance
while Benjamin Wess somehow missed at the back post from a right wing
cross from two great openings. But when their second corner came along,
awarded after Zeller’s reverse was bravely blocked by Kang Moon Kyu, the
ace striker whizzing home his 155th international goal just a couple of centimetres from the apex of post and crossbar.
Korea stormed back into
contention in the second period despite a series of cards as Kang Moon
Kweon nudged into sideboard and Nam Hyun Woo pulled his corner-flick
wide. Woon Kon Yeo, after a tricky run, drew the best from Weinhold
before You Hyo Sik’s last gasp chance was the best of them but, after
beating three men, proceeded to slice his shot from close to the spot to
leave them wholly frustrated as Germany ran out time to hold on to the
win.
(Stephen Findlater)
Belgium v. Netherlands 1-2 (first-half 0-0)
The Dutch earned their second win in as many outings
with a 2-1 victory against Belgium thanks to the efforts of Mink van der
Weerden who scored both goals for his team. The Dutch now lead Group B
with six points, while Belgium is still looking for its first point of
the Olympic tournament.
Despite dominating the first half, the Netherlands had to settle for a
scoreless draw after 35 minutes The early wake-up call came for Belgium
when Mink van der Weerden dinged a pentaly corner shot off the post.
The play was quickly followed by a point blank chance for Billy Bakker,
but Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch did his part to keep the
underdogs in the game and keep things scoreless at the break.
There was little Vanasch could do when the scoring
silence was broken seven minutes into the second half when van der
Weerden ripped in an unstoppable penalty corner shot off the top cross
bar for the 1-0 lead. It was ironic that Belgium fell behind in the
second half as they played their best hockey of the game but kept
missing the target by inches.
Belgium’s frustration finally came to an end with 11 minutes left in
regulation when Jerome Dekeyser scored a textbook penalty corner. But
the jubilee was short lived when van der Weerden struck again less than
three minutes later. His initial strike on a penalty corner was blocked
but landed right back on his stick when he then ensured the second shot
found the mark,giving the Dutch the 2-1 advantage.
Belgium tried desperately to net the equalizer, but came up short in their second straight loss of the London Games.
For more info on BEL vs NED, click here
(Eric Bailey)
New Zealand vs. India 3-1 (half-time: 3-1)
India and New Zealand were both looking for their first points of
this Olympic tournament and hoping to keep their semi-final hopes strong
in today’s B pool game. New Zealand came out on top of the fast-paced,
offensive game with a 3-1 win. New Zealand is now back in the hunt for a
semi-final berth sitting on three points, while India must turn things
around quickly with two losses in two games.
The teams didn’t waste any time getting down to
business with an amazing sequence of action in the first 15 minutes.
India struck hard and fast, earning a penalty corner on their first trip
down the field. Specialist Sandeep Singh easily converted the chance
for the 1-0 lead less than two minutes into play.
New Zealand was awarded a penalty corner on the ensuing play, but it
dinged off the post. That misfire was atoned for 10 minutes later when
Andrew Hayward looked like a short corner pro himself, easily sinking
the 1-1 marker just 12 minutes into action.
The back-and-forth continued in the fast-paced game and
it was clear that it was a wide-open affair. Phillip Burrows and Shea
McAleese provided some thrifty give-and-go action with Nicholas Wilson
eventually finishing the play after a diving pass from McAleese to open
up a 3-1 lead late in the first half.
The second half was still speedy, but the goals came to a grounding
halt. Despite being whistled for two yellow cards, India still put
steady pressure on the New Zealand net, but could not finish their
chances as New Zealand hung on for the 3-1 win.
Umpire Ged Curran was presented with the Golden Whistle before the match to recognize his 100th international match.
(Eric Bailey)
