As the qualification matches draw nearer we see Germany get the 3 points they needed to have any chance of staying alive for a semi-final appearance. Germany bested New Zealand 5-3 despite a hat-trick from Black Sticks flicker Andy Hayward. Results lie in the hands of the remaining games including Korea vs. Argentina (13:00 CET) and South Africa vs. Netherlands (19:45 CET).
MEN Pool B: New Zealand v Germany 3-5 (1-3)
Florian Fuchs got Germany off to a flying start by smashing the ball past Devon Manchester in the Black Sticks goal with just two minutes on the clock. This signalled the start of a German revival at this World Cup as they defeated the Black Sticks 5-3, but it still leaves the world number two team relying on a win by Korea over Argentina for the German side to progress through to the semi-finals. For the Black Stick's Andy Hayward it was a bitter-sweet game as he scored a hat-trick, but still ended on the losing team.
MEN Pool B: Korea v Argentina 0-5 (0-3)
A stunning hat-trick from Gonzalo Peillat in the first 19 minutes of Argentina's match against Korea and an innovative second half goal sealed Argentina's status as a serious medal contender at this edition of the Rabobank Hockey World Cup. Argentina has ripped up the rule books in this tournament. Coach Carlos Retegui is doing the seemingly impossible job of guiding both the men's and women's teams to the semi-finals and the men come to this tournament with very little international match-play under their belts. Add in the small matter of an 11th-place FIH World Ranking and a classic tale of success against all the odds is beginning to unfold.
MEN Pool B: South Africa v Netherlands 1-7 (0-4)
Two goals from Robbert Kemperman and wave after wave of orange attacks on their goal was enough to consign South Africa to a 7-1 defeat. But the Lads did not go down without a fight and, while an upset was never really on the cards, the Netherlands still had to work hard against a stubborn resistance to ensure their fourth win and a massive goal advantage over the other teams in their pool.
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