At the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 in Delhi, Germany topped Pool A by beating New Zealand (5-2) while The Netherlands fell to Korea (1-2). The semi-finals will oppose Germany to England, and Australia to the Netherlands.
At the beginning of the last day of pool play, everything could still happen in pool A with four teams (Netherlands, Germany, Korea and New Zealand) still mathematically able to earn a semi-final berth depending on the combination of results!
Game 28 - Germany v. New Zealand: 5-2 (half-time: 2-0)
Germany, reigning World Cup holders, needed to win against New Zealand to automatically qualify without having to rely on the result of the following match between The Netherlands and Korea. They immediately pushed forward and created a number of chances for Moritz FÜRSTE and Philip WITTE before Christoph MENKE opened the scoring, deflecting high in the goal roof a perfect cross from Florian FUCHS.
New Zealand tried to respond but, still playing without their mercurial leader Phillip BURROWS, they could only produce some timid counter-attacks. Germany were dictating play and increased their lead in the 28th minute by Florian FUCHS, picking up the rebound of a penalty-corner shot initially stopped by Kyle PONTIFEX.
The two teams started second half without much rhythm, making a number of unforced errors and turn-overs. Philip WITTE added a third goal in the 47th minute and the Black Sticks at this moment did not seem to have the resources to react. However, they pulled back a goal by Shea MCALEESE on a penalty-corner loosely defended by Germany then shortly after Nicholas WILSON took advantage of a ball lost by Martin HÄNER in his 25m to bring back his team within one goal. Suddenly the young German crew did not look so confident anymore and it was everybody's game.
Germany regained some colours with two penalty-corners in quick succession by Moritz FÜRSTE then Matthias WITTHAUS, restoring a more comfortable three-goal cushion. They cruised to a win that qualified them for the semi-finals, with their final placing (first or second) in the pool depending on the following game's result.
Match facts (Germany v. New Zealand):
> Germany qualified for the semi-finals for a record 11th time.
> Germany only failed to reach the semi-finals at Barcelona 1971.
> New Zealand now play in the Final 7-8 against India, unless Argentina beat Canada. In that case New Zealand play in the Final 9-10 against South Africa.
> The Black Sticks have never finished lower than 10th in the World Cup competition.
> New Zealand's best finish in the competition is seventh place, which they achieved in Amstelveen 1973, Kuala Lumpur 1975 and Bombay 1982.
> Florian Fuchs is Germany's leading goal scorer this tournament with 4 goals.
> Germany are reigning Olympic champions and two time defending world champions and are making a bid to become the first nation to win the FIH World Cup three times in a row.
Game 29 - Netherlands v. Korea: 1-2 (half-time: 1-1)
With everybody busy trying to figure out what the various possibilities of results in this game would produce in the standings, The Netherlands offered a beginning of answer by scoring within 30 seconds of play by Ronald BROUWER, brilliantly set-up by Teun DE NOOIJER. Korea reacted with their traditional quick passes and speedy runs, but they could not shake or penetrate the steady Dutch defense.
The game turned into a tactical opposition played mainly in midfield, with little direct dangers for the two goalkeepers. The Netherlands got close on another acceleration by Teun DE NOOIJER and a quick exchange of passes with Valentin VERGA, but the move was stopped by a defender before a shot on goal. Korea then forced a penalty-corner on one of their rare incursions in the Dutch circle in the 31st minute and Hyun Woo NAM dutifully converted it, his forth of the competition.
Half-time was reached on a tied score (1-1) with a lot of work for Korea, needing to win by at least two goal to overcome The Netherlands and force the door of the semi-finals. Eun Seong HONG had a golden chance to score early in second period after a vast Korean attack that ended on a 4-on-3 and left him alone at the top of the circle, but he completely mishandled his shot. Jong Ho SEO was more realistic a few minutes later at the conclusion of a similar move, managing to push the ball in goal despite lying on the ground behind the Dutch keeper.
With the door to qualification partly open, the Koreans forward furiously and Hyo Sik YOU nearly surprised Guus VOGELS with an instant reverse shot. They missed a penalty-corner chance and The Netherlands progressively took back the control of play. Geert-Jan DERIKX missed a completely open net after a monumental run by Teun DE NOOIJER and everything was still possible with 5 minutes to go. The two coaches were pacing nervously on the side line, shouting defensive or offensive orders, and the two teams put everything on the line in the final minutes, but the score did not evolve until the final second when a penalty-corner was whistled for The Netherlands.
The situation was clear: if they scored, they would top pool A and play England (second of pool B) in semi-final, otherwise they would play Australia (first of pool B). Taeke TAEKEMA slotted his flick wide and the semi-finals were decided.
Match Facts (Netherlands v. Korea):
> The Dutch have now reached the WC semi-finals for the 8th time, and for the first time since 2002, when they lost 4-1 to Australia in the semi-finals.
> The Dutch finish second in Pool A to take on Australia in the semi-finals, whereas Germany play England.
> Germany are the only teams still unbeaten after the Pool matches.
> Ronald Brouwer ÔÇÿs (NED) opening goal after 25 seconds is the fastest goal scored at Delhi 2010.
> Mark Pearson (CAN 33 seconds vs. NZL) and Phillip Burrows (NZL 39 seconds vs. NED) also scored in the first minute this tournament.
> However, all three teams that scored a first minute goal at Delhi 2010 ended up losing the match.
> Nam Hyun-Woo (KOR) scored his 4th PC goal this tournament. Only Taeke Taekema (NED) and Luke Doerner (AUS) have scored more PC goals at Delhi 2010.
> Korea will take on Spain in the Final 5-6. This is the first time they play in a fifth place play-off.
> In the last two World Cups (2002 and 2006) Korea came fourth.
> In 1994 and 1998 Korea reached the Final 7-8, losing on penalty strokes to Argentina in 1994 and beating Canada in 1998.
Game 30 - Canada v. Argentina: 2-4 (half-time: 0-1)
The final game of pool play pitted the two arch-rivals from the Americas, usually opposed in Pan American competitions (it will be their first encounter in a World Cup). Canada edged Argentina in dramatic fashion in the last two major competitions (2007 Pan American Games and 2009 Pan American Cup) and Argentina, playing well here in Delhi, were no doubt eager to avenge these two defeats.
The game started with a long observation round before Gabbar SINGH launched into one his trademark run through the Argentinean defense and set up Mark PEARSON and Philip WRIGHT in the circle but the goal was saved by a desperate retreat from a defender. At the other end, Dave CARTER, back in goal for Canada, was called in action in the 12th minute to clean up behind a hot situation in his circle then again soon after to stop Agustin A MAZZILLI arriving alone after stealing a ball from the Canadian midfield.
The two teams obviously knew each other well and the game, although fast and pleasant, stayed confined in midfield, with episodic dashes from both sides. Argentina had a chance on penalty-corner but Dave CARTER saved it well. Canada played short after a green card to Philip WRIGHT, avoided a penalty-corner with a referral to the video-umpire, defended efficiently the next three set pieces but had to concede on the next one to Lucas VILA, slamming the rebound from close range.
The game resume with the same pattern in second period, with some incessant work in midfield from Rob SHORT and Ken PEREIRA. Argentina increased their lead in the 43rd minute by Matias PAREDES, receiving a long ball in front of the goal, pivoting in traffic then forcing the ball over Dave CARTER. Mario ALMADA, hanging inconspicuously behind the Canadian defense, nearly increased the lead when he collected a ball mishandled by a Canadian defender, but he did not take the time to adjust his shot and it went wide.
Canada reacted strongly and were threatening for a while but could not score and Argentina increased their lead again by Mario ALMADA as soon as they were back at full strength after a yellow card to Matias VILA. Canada pulled back a goal in the 60th minute by Scott TUPPER, their first successful penalty-corner of the competition. Shortly after David JAMESON surprised Juan ESPINOSA with an instant reverse shot and, with Canada showing the intensity that they so badly missed during their previous matches, the stage was set for a classical fiery end of match between the two rivals!
It was nevertheless too little too late for Canada. With the win, Argentina jumps over New Zealand to finish fourth in the pool and will play for 7th-8th against India, while Canada, the first team to finish pool play pointless since Cuba in 2002, will face Pakistan to avoid the wooden spoon of the competition.
Match facts (Canada v. Argentina):
> Argentina qualified for the Final 7-8. Their win over Canada made them finish fourth in Pool A, beating New Zealand on goal difference.
> Argentina now play India for 7th place.
> In 1978 and 1994 Argentina also played in the 7th place play-off, losing to England in 1978 to finish 8th and beating Korea on penalty strokes in 1994 to finish 7th.
> Argentina's best World Cup ranking is 6th in 1986 and 2002. In 2006 Argentina finished 10th.
> New Zealand play South Africa in the Final 9-10 and Canada play Pakistan for 11th place.
> Canada finished the pool standings on zero points. They are the first team since Belgium and Cuba in 2002 to lose all their World Cup pool matches.
After a rest day on Wednesday, the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 continues on Thursday in Delhi with the match for 11th-12th place between Canada and Pakistan, and the semi-finals, when Germany face England and Australia lock horns with The Netherlands.
For additional information, pictures, video clips, official game sheets, and more, please check the special FIH event site @ http://www.worldhockey.org/worldcup/.
Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010 (men) - Delhi, India
Results Day 10 - Tuesday 9 March 2010
Germany v. New Zealand 5:2 (2:0)
GER 15mn Christoph MENKE (FG) 1:0
GER 28mn Florian FUCHS (PC) 2:0
GER 47mn Philip WITTE (FG) 3:0
NZL 51mn Shea MCALEESE (PC) 3:1
NZL 54mn Nicholas WILSON (FG) 3:2
GER 63mn Moritz FÜRSTE (PC) 4:2
GER 64mn Matthias WITTHAUS (PC) 5:2
Netherlands v. Korea 1:2 (1:1)
NED 1mn Ronald BROUWER (FG) 1:0
KOR 31mn Hyun Woo NAM (PC) 1:1
KOR 45mn Jong Ho SEO (FG) 1:2
Canada v. Argentina 2:4 (0:1)
ARG 29mn Lucas Martin VILA (PC) 0:1
ARG 43mn Matias Enrique PAREDES (FG) 0:2
ARG 56mn Mario ALMADA (FG) 0:3
CAN 60mn Scott TUPPER (PC) 1:3
CAN 65mn David JAMESON (FG) 2:3
ARG 70mn Tomas ARGENTO INNOCENTE (FG) 0:4
Pool Standings:
Pool A: 1) Germany 11 pts 2) Netherlands 10 pts (+10) 3) Korea 10pts (+8) 4) Argentina 6 pts (-2) 5) New Zealand 6 pts (-4) 6) Canada 0 pt
Pool B: 1) Australia 12 pts (+17) 2) England 12 pts (+5) 3) Spain 9 pts 4) India 4 pts (-4) 5) South Africa 4 pts (-15) 6) Pakistan 3 pts
Schedule for last three days:
Thursday 12 March
15:35 - 11th-12th - Canada v. Pakistan
18:05 - semi-final - Germany v. England
20:35 - semi-final - Australia v. Netherlands
Friday 12 March
15:35 - 9th-10th - New Zealand v. South Africa
18:05 - 7th-8th - Argentina v. India
20:35 - 5th-6th - Korea v. Spain
Saturday 13 march
15:35 - 3rd-4th
18:05 - Final
