Harpal Singh Bedi / Bhubaneswar
Two time Champion Germany produced a vintage game to overrun three time winner The Netherland 3-0 to record their second straight win in the pool D of the 14th World Cup hockey at the Kalinga stadium here today.
It was a completes reversal of the opening matches the two teams had played when The Netherlands had thrashed Malaysia 7-0 and Germany had struggle to beat Pakistan 1-0’
In this tenth clash between the two teams in the world cup, Mathias Muller (30th), Lukas Windfeder(52nd), Marcos Miltkau (54th), Christopher Ruhr (58th) scored a goal each for the winners. While Mirco Pruijser (13th) was the lone goal getter for the losers.
.@DHB_hockey come from the behind to beat @oranjehockey with a dominating 4-1 margin to top the POOL D following the battle of the heavyweights at the OHMWC Bhubaneswar 2018 on 5th December. #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #GERvNED pic.twitter.com/mrvKp2ABxm
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 5, 2018
The match started on a very fast note and the two teams played an engrossing free flowing game, trading attacks and moves so frequently that all the 22 players on the field , including the goalkeepers were in involved in the action ,
It was move for move strategy by the two teams that was in the play from the very start. Germany made the first move through striker Christopher Ruhr, who side stepped defender Robbert Kemperman but goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak was quick to react to foil the move.
Netherlands countered with short passed , but failed to breach the rival defence. However the Dutch continued putting pressure and had a chance to take the lead s Kemperman’s setup Billy Bakker, whose scoop hits goalkeeper Tobias Walter’s helmet.
The repeated pressure finally paid off as in the 13th minute Dutch managed to breach the German defence . Valentin Verga ran down the left flank created an opening for the on rushing mid fielder Mirco Pruijser who intercepted the ball well across goalmouth an deflected it home (1-0)
The German retaliation was fast and furious as they earned their first penalty in very nixt minute. The two time champions instead of taking a direct crack relayed the ball surprising the Dutch defenders but Mathias Muller’s flick from close range hit the crossbar.
A minute later German forward Christopher Ruhr made a solo move with superb stick work he reached at the edge of the circle but delayed taking the crack and the Dutch defenders foiled that move,
Buoyed by these attacks Germany moved up with its strikers asserting themselves but Netherlands continued with their strategy to make quick tearaway counter,.
Dutch skipper Billy Bakker cut through into the penalty area with a tremendous dash and his powerful drive from the right side of the circle, was cleared by defender Martin Haner.
The Germans playing to plan kept the Dutch on tenterhooks with incisive moves and they forced their third penalty corner in the 30th minute and this time veteran Mathias Muller made no mistake in converting to make it 1-1.
The second half saw Dutch on the attack but their strikers looked off colour they made many opening but could not convert the chances that came their ways.They also failed to convert any of the five penalty corners that came their way.
The Germans on the other hand looked dangerous and marauding .Every move of theirs created panic in the Dutch defence.
The pressure put by the Germans started telling on the Dutch. Their attackers floundered and defenders looked tentative and it was no surprise that they collapsed dramatically conceding three goals in a space of six minutes of the last quarters.
Germany in the process sent a warning to other contenders who were taking them lightly They also improved their head to head record with the Dutch in the World, 5 wins.2 loses and three draws
