Australia and the Netherlands have gone through to the finals of the Hockey Champions Trophy. World champions Australia celebrated a 3-0 win against India in Saturday's second semi-final. Earlier, the Dutch had defeated Pakistan 5-2. Pakistan and India were to face each other in the bronze medal match on Sunday. In relegation round Belgium and Germany reached the fifth-place play-off match. Only the winners will qualify for the 35th edition held in India in 2014.
Belgium beat England 4-0 with Germany winning 6-4 against New Zealand. On Sunday, the Kookaburras will go for their fifth successive Champions Trophy win. Jamie Dwyer scored twice against India, Kieran Govers once. "We are not looking to claim the fifth title, we are looking to play a good game tomorrow" Govers said. "First of all we need a rest and then will discuss field tactics on how to play against Australia", Dutch striker Billy Bakker said.
Bakker contributed two goals to his team's win over Pakistan. Valentin Verga, Seve van Ass and Robbert Kemperman scored one each. Pakistan's goals came from a Dutch own goal and a last-minute strike from veteran Shakeel Abbasi. India are keen to grab their first Champions Trophy medal since 1982. The last time Pakistan finished in the top three was in 2004. "It was a tough game. We were well prepared but we made some mistakes" said India's Yuvraj Walmiki.
In relegation round New Zealand had taken a 2-0 lead. However, the Germans struck back with two goals each from Marco Miltkau and Jan Christopher Ruehr, Mats Grambusch and Tobias Matania. Phillip Burrows, Nicholas Wilson, Stephen Jenness and Nick Haig scored for New Zealand.
"At halftime we said let's keep on working hard. We are happy with the result" German captain Moritz Fuerste said. On receiving the FIH Player of the Year Award the 28-year-old added: "It is amazing. This time they picked me, I know that there are many other players." Earlier, two goals from Jerome Truyens and one goal each by Cedric Charlier and Loick Luypaert secured Belgium's first-ever win at the Champions Trophy. "We certainly enjoyed the win, four losses in a row had been tough" Truyens said.
Comments
Comments are closed.