by Hockey Supporter
14. June 2009 07:53
India defeat Japan with strong 7:2. In the second match of Pool G Japan faced India which tightly missed the medal round behind the Netherlands and New Zealand. India made the 1:0 in their second penalty corner, which was flicked by their specialist and captain Diwakar. During India’s fourth penalty corner it was also Diwakar who passed the ball to Mandeep Antil who deflected it into the goal. The same happened during their fifth penalty corner as well and India was 3:0 in front at halftime. Japan rarely appeared in front of the Indian keeper Mrinal Choubey and had no memorable opportunities.
India dominated the beginning of the second half but Japan was able to shorten the deficit through a quick counter-attack by Harayuki Fujiyoshi. A few minutes later Mohammad Amir Khan established the old goal difference for India again which Victo Singh Kshetrimayum even extended a few minutes later. Japan’s goalkeeper Katsumi Ichikawa was injured after this situation and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. His treatment caused a longer break but he finally played on. Although Japan had a goalkeeper again they could not do anything about Victo Singh Kshetrimayum´s second goal for the evening. At the end India slowed down their play and Japan gathered several opportunities. A penalty stroke was converted by Kenta Tanaka. The last event in the game was a counter-attack from India which was successfully finished by Mohammad Amir Khan. India took the lead of Pool G with a great performance in a powerful game.
India v Japan 7:2 (3:0)
1:0 DIWAKAR (PC), 2:0 Mandeep ANTIL (PC), 3:0 Mandeep ANTIL (PC), 3:1 Harayuki FUJIYOSHI (FG), 4:1 Mohammad Amir KHAN (FG), 5:1 Victo Singh KSHETRIMAYUM (FG), 6:1 Victo Singh KSHETRIMAYUM (FG), 6:2 Kenta TANAKA (PS), 7:2 Mohammad Amir KHAN (FG)
Chile gain first points against Singapore
In the game between Chile and Singapore both teams were looking forward to achieve their first victory in the tournament. Singapore had the better start, firstly they hit the post during a penalty corner in minute three. Afterwards the hosts took the lead with a nice attack over the right side completed by Enrico Elifh Marican in the eighth minute. Singapore kept on attacking and Chile got short-handed in minute twelve. But when Chile gained their first penalty corner it could only be saved by a Singaporean defender’s body on the goal line. The following penalty stroke was successfully taken by Thomas Krussig. During the first half Chile became more and more active and achieved a 3:1-lead in the last two minutes. Captain Andres Fuenzalida and Pablo Thiermann were successful.
The second half continued as eventfully as the first one had finished. Immediately after Chilean Martin Rodriguez hit the crossbar, Johnson Sivalingham scored for Singapore on the other side. This brought the hosts back into the game. In minute 53 it were Singapore again who had the opportunity to score through a penalty stroke, awarded after a penalty corner. Muhammad Sabri Yuhari equalized confidently. Unluckily for Singapore that Chile also scored two goals in half two. Martin Rodriguez made both of them. Chile take the lead in Pool I now while Singapore still wait for their first point in the tournament.
Chile v Singapore 5:3 (3:1)
0:1 Enrico Elifh MARICAN (FG), 1:1 Thomas KRUSSIG (PS), 2:1 Andres FUENZALIDA (PC), 3:1 Pablo THIERMANN (FG), 3:2 Johnson SIVALINGHAM (FG), 3:3 Muhammad Sabri YUHARI (PS), 4:3 Martin RODRIGUEZ (FG), 5:3 Martin RODRIGUEZ (FG)
Netherlands with convincing 3:0-victory over Spain
In today´s Pool E game the European champion from 2008 clashed the vice champion. The Dutch spectators started to sing and supported their team very loudly from the beginning on. The European champion Spain struggled to find their way into the game. Already after five minutes the Netherlands had a really good opportunity. Spain´s goalkeeper Francesc Mata paid attention and navigated the deflection over the crossbar. The Netherlands kept the pressure up and gained the lead through their captain Klaas Vermeulen who entered the circle from the right, passed to a team-mate, got the ball back and scored. In the middle of the first half the Spanish had their probably best chance to equalize. Xavier Lleonardt brought the ball into circle, went to the goal but hit Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak´s pads. From now on the Dutch defenders were very well positioned and gave the Spanish attackers no space anymore. Flicker Mink van der Weerden increased the lead when he converted his 9th penalty corner in the tournament so far.
The second half started like the first half has finished. The Netherlands were attacking and only keeper Mata kept the European champion in the game. When Spain were able to achieve a penalty corner which was flicked to the left, it was Blaak in the Dutch goal who destroyed the Spanish hope for their first goal. By the time the match became a game of the goalkeepers because both of them showed one save after another. The 3:0 took probably all Spanish hopes away. The Oranjes had a penalty corner, flicker van der Weerden was not on the pitch. But it did not matter, Valentin Verga proofed that the Dutch team is deep enough to replace the flicker when he takes a break. The victory brings the Netherlands the lead in Pool E while Spain is already in trubble and need to beat Germany tomorrow.
Netherlands v Spain 3:0 (2:0)
1:0 Klaas VERMEULEN (FG), 2:0 Mink VAN DER WEERDEN (PC), 3:0 Valentin VERGA (PC)
Germany win first medal-round game
Germany won their first medal-round game 3:1 against Argentina. The Netherlands and Germany are on the semi-final positions at the moment while Argentina and Spain definitely need to win in tomorrow´s game. Just after a couple of minutes Argentina became dangerous in the German circle but goalkeeper Niklas Sakowsky was able to save three times in row. Afterwards the German captain Martin Häner gave his team-mates clear instructions and organised the defence better. The game was a top game and the crowd saw what they expected. A key match with opportunities on both sides and goalkeepers who show spectacular saves. In the first half both teams proofed that they are on equal level and will fight for each centimetre on the pitch.
Argentina was dealing well with the suspension of Sebastian Zocchi what was the reason why they had to play with 15 players. After Germany missed some opportunities Argentina made the first goal in minute 28 through a classical situation. They came down the left, passed to Agustin Mazzilli who waited unprotected at the right post and shot into the empty goal. It did not take long until the Germans came back into the game. Because the ball hit an Argentinean player on the goal line the umpire awarded a penalty stroke for Germany. That one was used by Martin Häner without any problems.
Germany started with a penalty corner back into the second half which was well saved by goalkeeper Federico Bermejillo. The last ten minutes of the game belonged to Germany when they converted a penalty corner and scored a field goal before.
Germany v Argentina 3:1 (1:1)
0:1 Agustin MAZZILLI (FG), 1:1 Martin HÄNER (PS), 1:2 Felix OLDHAFER (FG), 1:3 Patrick SCHMIDT (PC)
(source: worldhockey.org)
