FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023: Germany, Netherlands complete the semi-final line-up, Asian challenge ends

European dominance continues unabated as three of the four semi-finalists in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 from the continent. The only non-European team to make the last four round is a pre-tournament favourite, Australia.

The Netherlands ended the Asian challenge by recording a resounding 5-1 win over South Korea in the fourth and last quarter-final at iconic Kalinga Stadium. Earlier, Germany in a remarkable recovery beat England 4-3 in the penalty shootout after recovering from 0-2 deficit to level at 2-2 at the end of the stipulated period.

The third quarter-final and the first game of the day saw England dominating a game that was robust, tactical and non-descriptive. There were sudden bursts of brilliance, some good moves and equally effective defences but the game was least exciting for the sizeable crowd that had filled nearly two-thirds of the stadium.

Zachary Wallace, one of the finest attackers on view here, broke the ice with a brilliant run in the 12th minute that saw him latching on to a forward pass from David Condon. Wallace left the German defence guessing with his superb placement.

Wallace could have scored another goal in the 26th minute but this time his goalbound shot taken from the top of the circle found the legs of his own colleague. Germany, while struggling for a foothold in the game, had a good chance in the 28th minute when Nikalus Wellen tested the English goalkeeper Payne. Less than a minute later, drag flicker and import from Argentina Gonzalo Peillat had a solid swipe at the English goal where Payne again stood his ground.

After a change of ends, it was England that stuck again. This time though experienced Liam Ansell, who took a direct shot from a penalty corner in the 33rd minute.

Germany, desperate in looking to stay in the game, blew away a chance of reducing the margin in the 57th minute when a penalty stroke awarded to it saw Christopher Ruhr hitting the crosspiece. Germans, however, made amends quickly and in the very next minute saw Mats Grambusch hitting the target with a brilliant field goal. Seconds later as England’s defence started wilting under pressure, Germany had won another penalty stroke. This time, the other Grambusch,  Tom, took the shot without making a mistake to bring the teams at par. His goal took the game to the penalty shootout, the first of the quarter-finals. Germany held on to its nerves and won the battle 4-3 to make the last four round.

Dutch supremacy was never in doubt. Though the fleet-footed Koreans put up a gallant show and tried to match their taller and well built opponents in every department of the game, the physique differences were little more than the last team from Asia could cover up.

After a barren first quarter, the Dutch had to wait till the 27th minute to take the lead when Koen Bijen, the man of the match scored the first of his two goals. In the first minute of the second half, it was Teun Beins again who this time scored from a penalty corner.

Playing aggressive hockey, the Dutch time and again asserted their supremacy. Their efforts were turned into goals as well. In the 36th minute, Justen Blok scored a gem of an opportunist field goal that left the Korean defence tormented.

Koreans, who were trying to trouble their opponents with stray but good moves, were disadvantaged by their finish. A couple of times, they did come near scoring but wayward shooting deprived them of having a clear look at the Dutch goal.

Meanwhile, in the 50th minute, the Dutch added yet another goal, a field goal, through Steijn van  Heijinngen. A minute later, the Koreans met with their first success as Seo Inwo made no mistake with a brilliant centre and found the target. That was perhaps the end of the road for Koreans and Asian challengers. In the 58th minute, the Netherlands scored its fifth goal of the match. This time it was another Bijen, Teun, who flicked home.

In the semi-finals, Australia will play Germany and the Netherlands will take on defending champions Belgium.