Hindustan Times: Six-time champions Germany enter Hockey Junior World Cup quarterfinals

Six-time champions Germany stormed into the quarterfinals of the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup in style, drubbing Japan 6-1 to register their third successive win here on Sunday. They will take on the second-placed team from Group D in Thursday’s quarterfinals clash.

Striker Anton Boeckel (25th, 39th minutes) struck twice to take his goals tally to four, while Constantin Staib (3rd), Ole Thies Prinz (54th), Timm Herzbruch (58th) and Lukas Windfeder (63rd) added four goals for Germany. Captain Ryo Ozawa (67th) struck the consolation goal for Japan.

In Pool B, spirited Belgium too virtually booked their place in the last eight, defeating Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling encounter after being locked in a goalless draw at the break. Last-minute entrants Malaysia chalked out their first win, beating Egypt 2-0.

Belgium, who finished fourth in Euro Hockey Junior Championship, came with some super display of stick work to shock the reigning junior European champions Netherlands. Despite trailing by a goal, they staged a comeback thanks to goals from Thomas Verheijen (48th), Quentin van Lierde (56th) and Henri Raes (9th). Terrance Pieters (38th) and Bram van Groesen (64th).

With two wins in as many matches so far, Belgium will take on Malaysia in their final pool fixture, while second-placed Netherlands with three points will face Egypt on Monday.

Malaysia, who suffered a 2-7 loss against Netherlands in their opening tie on Saturday, came up with a fine show on Sunday, scoring in both the halves. Zulhamizan Mohamad drew the first blood in the 13th minute (1-0), whereas Khaliq Hamirin struck nine minutes from the hooter. With Egypt already out of contention for a quarterfinal berth, Malaysia will now have to beat Belgium in their next match to stay in the hunt.