The Netherlands and host Germany celebrated victories at the first day of the ÔÇ£Hamburg MastersÔÇØ 4-Nations-Tournament. The Netherlands beat India 6-3 (4-1) and Germany won 5-3 (2-2) against Japan.
NED v IND 6-3 (4-1)
In the first game of the day the Netherlands dominated. Only eight minutes were played when Bob de Voogd opened the score. At half time the Dutch were 4-1 in front. In the second half India became more confident. But the World Cup Bronze Medal Winners controlled the game while India succeeded with two counter-attacks. ÔÇ£They could have easily scored two or three goals moreÔÇØ, said Paul van Ass, the new Dutch coach. Nevertheless he is very satisfied with his team's performance today.
Both line-ups included many young players. Eight Dutch players have participated in last year's Junior World Cup in Singapore and Malaysia where they turned vice-champion. Three of them made their first international senior match today.
On the Indian side three players played the U21 World Cup. India's coach Jose Brasa summarised the game: ÔÇ£We didn't play very well today. We made too many mistakes and need to increase our passing.ÔÇØ
JPN v GER 5-3 (2-2)
Japan took the early lead against Germany when Hiroki Sakamoto converted a great pass coming from captain Kazuhiro Tsubouchi. Germany's top star Christopher Zeller equalised through a penalty corner goal. Only three minutes later he scored the 2-1 lead. Afterwards Japan played more aggressive and deserved the 2-2.
In the second half Germany tried to put Japan under pressure. In the last minutes of the Olympic Champion seemed to have more power than the Asians and scored three goals in ten minutes. The last goal of the game was scored by Japan's Kenji Kitazato.
Tomorrow Germany face India and Japan play the Netherlands.
Netherlands v India 6-3 (4-1)
1-0 Bob de VOOGD (9') FG
2-0 Robbert KEMPERMAN (17') FG
2-1 Dhananjay MAHADIK (18') PC
3-1 Jeroen HERTZBERGER (20') FG
4-1 Klaas VERMEULEN (34') FG
4-2 Sandeep SINGH (43') PC
5-2 Mink VAN DER WEERDEN (46') PC
5-3 Ravipal SINGH (52') FG
6-3 Constantijn JONKER (60') FG
Japan v Germany 3-5 (2-2)
1-0 Hiroki SAKAMOTO (10') FG
1-1 Christopher ZELLER (23') PC
1-2 Christopher ZELLER (26') PC
2-2 Kazuhiro TSUBOUCHI (34') PC
2-3 Christopher ZELLER (57') FG
2-4 Oskar DEECKE (59') FG
2-5 Christopher MENKE (67') FG
3-5 Kenji KITAZATO (68') FG
