New Delhi: Olympic champions and World No.1 Germany were left to play for minor rankings after the Netherlands scored two early goals and defended stubbornly to come out 2-1 winners in the Hero Hockey League Final quarterfinal match here on Wednesday.

With Germany failing to reach the semifinals, it is a good incentive for World No.2 Australia to gain top ranking if they can manage to win this tournament. They need three wins for that and the first in line are Indians tonight.

The orange brigade meant business forcing a penalty corner as soon as the match started and Mink van der Weerden sent in a drag flick made which deflected off the goalkeeper’s pads and a defender’s stick to settle in the net. The first-minute goal set the tone as the Olympic silver medallists pumped in one more in the 6th minute to shift the pressure to the opposite camp when Seve van Ass deflected a long cross into the goal with a deft touch.

The second half saw Germany playing with more intensity; it took them less than three minutes to get on the scoreboard. Florian Fuchs kept possession in the circle and linked well with team-captain Oliver Korn who tipped the ball into the goal. The game was really end to end with the European champions taking hold of the game towards the final whistle. Such was the shape of the game that most of the action took place in the centre of the pitch with quick turn-overs making the match very entertaining.

The Netherlands were clearly pleased with the result, although they acknowledged that they nearly let their opponents back into the game. Robbert Kemperman said; “This is a great feeling. We had a tough last 10 minutes as the German’s really came at us and we were not as sharp as we should have been in the second half. Really we should have closed the game down earlier.” (with inputs from FIH news)

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