Netherlands huffs and buffs while Australia resurrects its form, as both reach HWL finals
Canada offered a stiff resistance to Netherlands before it advanced (2-0)while Germany uncharacteristically missed and messed up its own chances to provide Australia an easy day (1-4) in the first two quarterfinals played amidst full stands at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel International stadium in Raipur, India.
The first quarterfinal between Canada-Netherlands was expected to be a cakewalk for the latter, but it turned out to be tough task. Canada fortified its midfield, tightened its defence not to allow kind of elbow room the Dutch would have expected.
Dutch forwards struggled to no end to break through. They finally got a goal in the 25th minute, a soft one. Valentin Verga dodged well to serve Jonker a perfect mid-circle pass which he tapped in. Four minutes before the final whistle, Roel Bovendeert rose to the occasion to strike.
On the other hand, the Australians, who had mixed fortune in the pool stage, bounced back with panache, showed rhythm in attack and got the dividends.
Germany, known for its dash and precision, was not in its usual self; even missing out a penalty stroke and many other chances to even out.
Australians did not allow Germans any respite as they piled up two goals in successive minutes. This early burst took the zeal out of the reigning gold medallist.
Jeremy Hayward converted team’s first penalty corner in the fourth minutes, but within a minute later sharper and shrewd Jamie Dwyer tapped in a hit-in from centre of circle to add to the woes of the Champions Trophy holders.
Matthew Dawson struck in the 27th minute. Germany’s turn came in 40th minute through Christopher Ruhr.
As the match was closing down with the 3-1 score, Glenn Turner in a spurt snatched the ball from midfield and ran close to the cage from the right flank and scored through narrowest of angles after drawing goalie Andreas Spack.
Today India will take on Great Britain in the HWL’s 3rd Quarterfinal while Belgium will battle it out against Argentina.