Holland take bronze

M.S.Unnikrishnan

Tribune News Service

The Netherlands fought back from 1-3 down to turn the tables on England to post a 4-3 victory and take the third place in the 12th Hero Honda FIH World Cup Hockey Championship at the National Stadium here today. Holland, who were disallowed a goal when it was put to the referral of the video umpire by England in the 14th minute, however, could not be denied the lead for long as they forged ahead in the 22nd minute when a mesmerising dribble down the middle by Robert Horst der van put captain Teun de Nooijer taking possession and flick home in a trice.

England’s competent defence was caught on the wrong foot, but England had their chances too when they forced two penalty corners before the Holland goal, and once Richard Alexander muffed an open chance when he slammed into custodian Guus Vogels. In fact, the veteran Vogels prevented England from scoring on a few occasions though even he could not contain the sustained England attacks effectively for long.

The Holland lead lasted just a minute as Alastair Brogdon equalised following a quick counter attack. The goal pepped up England as they mounted a series of raids on the rival citadel to earn two penalty corners in quick succession in the 29th and 33rd minutes which were brilliantly scooped in by their drag flicker Ashley Jackson.

With England retiring for the half time break with a comfortable 3-1 lead, the Dutch suddenly found themselves fighting with their backs to the wall. But they were such tenacious fighters, with captain Teun Nooijer leading his armada into the enemy territory often, that they could not be contained from scoring for long, and that’s what happened when Taeke Taekema swept in off their first penalty corner in the 13th minute of second half to narrow the lead 2-3.

This was Taekema’s 21st World Cup goal which equalled the record of his illustrious predecessor Tie Kruize. And Dutch captain Teun de Nooijer also equalled the record of four World Cup medals hitherto held by Pakistan’s Akhtar Rasool, who reigned from 1971 to 1982.

Four minutes later, Jeroen Hertzberger’s high scoop was palmed by goalie Vogels but Holland equalled a couple of minutes later through Klaas Vermeulen and three minutes before the final hooter, Rogier Hofman relayed a pass from Teun Nooijer into the goal to get the match-winner and seal a 4-1 victory. Holland’s never-say-die fighting spirit was remarkable as the sustained pressure they exercised put tremendous pressure on the otherwise solid England defence which eventually caved as never before in this championship. The Netherlands thus recorded their fourth victory against England in five World Cup meetings, with just a lone defeat as the only blemish in their record, which came when England hosted the Cup in 1986. England had beaten Holland in the European Championship but only to lose in the Champions Trophy later.