by Hockey Supporter
11. June 2009 05:07
The afternoon started with Japan defeating Chile, and the Netherlands wrestling down India in a nailbiter match. Germany and Australia split the points, followed by New Zealand defeating Singapore.
Japan defeat Chile 3:1 (2:1)
Japan and Chile went onto the pitch today to play to avoid the red lantern. Japan had previously picked up one point, while Chile was still without. In a gritty fight, Japan finished the match as the winner, confining Chile to the table bottom.
Japan went up in the first half with a penalty corner goal from Ken Asakure but soon found Chile forcing their way back into the match with the equalizer. With only minutes to go in the first however, Japan managed to get ahead again in this battle of equal opponents, and they never looked back.
Defending their lead through the second half, the Asians even added a third goal late in the match, and practically confine Chile to pool I in the subsequent phase - the pool that plays out places 17-20.
Netherlands defeat India 3:2 (2:1)
Meanwhile, in the main stadium, a true nailbiter was underway and entertaining a good crowd of spectators, when the Netherlands and India butted heads in a battle of structure and discipline versus creativity and individual skill.
India had an initial advantage when Mandeep Antil scored with barely five minutes played, but the tables were soon turned at the hands of penalty corner superstar Mink van der Weerden who established the lead for his team with a double hitter around the 10th minute, then added a third for his hattrick shortly after the restart of the game after halftime.
India climbed back to within reach with a penalty corner converted by Innocent Kullu but couldn't close the gap which turned the Dutch into the winners of the match and the first team in the competition to go through to the medal round pools of the second stage.
Germany draw Australia 1:1 (0:1)
In another one of today's great games, Germany took on Australia on pitch 2 in Singapore.
Australia played aggressively from the start and created many opportunities while Germany struggled to leave their own half for long stretches of time. However, Australia had great difficulty actually cobverting their chances, and found themselves only one goal up at halftime where it should have been at least three or four.
Germany came back much stronger after the break and pushed for the elusive equalizer, but it wasn't until the 65th minte that they managed to get on the scoreboard through Marco Miltkau who made good use of a short corner.
At the very end of the game, Germany even had the chance to take the match, having been awarded a penalty corner with the final whistle, but the attempt failed and Germany and Australia had to content themselves with one point each which still keeps them at the top of the table and well onto the road to the medal round pools in the second stage of the event
New Zealand defeat Singapore 3:1 (1:0)
In the last match for the day in Singapore, the hosts from Singapore lined up against New Zealand.
Singapore have been getting stronger in every match, and gave the Kiwis a run for their money today. The New Zealanders got on the scoreboard first when their team captain Simon Child scored after about ten minutes, but were kept on their toes by the home team who not only put on a stubborn defensive performance but also managed to create some chances at the Kiwi end of the pitch.
The game went back and forth in the second half until Simon Child put away his second for the day and 7th goal in the tournament when he converted a penalty stroke. Minutes later, Ricky Clark extended the lead to three goals, but the Singaporeans were unafzed and kept pushing for a goal.
Singapore stormed down the sides and were rewarded in the 57th minute with a goal when Muhammad Zulfadhli Azman swept a rebound off the post over the line. Motivated by the goal and the incessant cheers of their supporters, Singapore kept pushing forward but could not add to their tally any more.
Japan - Chile 3:1 (2:1)
JPN - Ken ASAKURA PC 22m
CHI - Fernando BINDER FG 26m
JPN - Ken YOSHIKAWA FG 31m
JPN - Kenta TANAKA FG 67m
Netherlands - India 3:2 (2:1)
IND - Mandeep ANTIL FG 5m
NED - Mink van der WEERDEN PC 10m
NED - Mink van der WEERDEN PC 13m
NED - Mink van der WEERDEN PC 51m
IND - Innocent KULLU PC 53m
Germany - Australia 1:1 (0:1)
AUS - Matt GHODES FG 21m
GER - Marco MILTKAU FG 65m
New Zealand - Singapore 3:1 (1:0)
NZL - Simon CHILD FG 9m
NZL - Simon CHILD PS 43m
NZL - Ricky CLARK PC 49m
SIN - Prashan ANBALAGAN PC 56m
(Source: worldhockey.org)
