Netherlands and Australia move to semifinals

Defending champions and Pool B winners the Netherlands became the first team to qualify semi-finals of the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015, but were given a stern test by a Canada team that produced their best performance of the event in Raipur, India.

Canada’s Red Caribous, who finished fourth in Pool A, made life extremely difficult for the European champions, who eventually emerge victorious with a 2-0 triumph thanks to goals from Constantijn Jonker coupled with a late strike from Roel Bovendeert. The Canadians had numerous chances of their own, but could not find a way past Netherlands goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak.

“The Canadians did very well out there, and I am very happy with the win because they had some good opportunities and our goalie was amazing today”, said Netherlands star Seve van As. “They are a tough team and they deserve to be here at the Hero Hockey World League Final, so I am really happy that we won.”

Canada goalkeeper Antoni Kindler said: “We are definitely more pleased with the performance today than in the last couple of games, but ahead of the match we talked about giving ourselves the best possible chance of winning this one. We had a lot of belief out there but we didn’t take our chances and ultimately that is what cost us. It is definitely work in progress, and we are looking forward to building towards the Rio Olympics.”

Hero Man of the Match: Mark Pearson (CAN)

Reigning World champions Australia will meet current European and HWL champions the Netherlands in the competition semi-finals after the Kookaburras powered to a 4-1 win over Germany at the Hero Hockey World League Final in Raipur, India.

Clinical strikes Jeremy Hayward and Jamie Dwyer gave the Kookaburras a 2-0 lead over the reigning Olympic champions at the end of the first quarter, while Germany wasted a big chance to reduce the deficit early in the second period when Oscar Deecke saw his penalty stroke saved by Australia’s Andrew Charter. It was a costly miss, with Australia taking a 3-0 lead into half time thanks to Matthew Dawson’s low, accurate penalty corner drag-flick.

Germany threatened a comeback when 2013 FIH Young Player of the Year Christopher Rühr volleyed home in the third quarter, but Glenn Turner added a fourth late on after Die Honamas replaced goalkeeper Nico Jacobi with an outfield player in an attempt to rescue the game.

“The Germans are a great team and historically it is always a tough match between Australia and Germany”, said Kookaburras defender Matthew Swann after the match. “When we get the chance to play them we always want to play our best, and we were happy to get away with a win. It could have been a lot closer but our defenders were really desperate in the circle and it made it very hard for them.”

Hero Man of the Match: Tim Deavin (AUS)