Bhubaneswar, India: Germany claimed a stunning 4-1 victory against the Netherlands on Day Eight of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, a result which saw Die Honamas take control of Pool D ahead of the final round of group matches which take place on 9 December.

Germany’s scintillating performance moved them onto six points, three points clear of second placed Netherlands, and are now favourites to top the pool and claim a direct ticket to the quarter-finals. A draw or a win for Germany against Malaysia – who drew with Pakistan in the second match of the day – in their final pool match on 9 December would seal that all-important first place finish ahead of the Oranje.

As it so often is, the Germany (FIH Hero World Ranking: 6) versus Netherlands (WR:4) match was high in both quality and pace, as two fiercely competitive teams butted heads in front of a crowd that was certainly entertained. Germany’s Christopher Rühr had the first shot in anger, while Dutch captain Billy Bakker forced a good save from Tobias Walter before the opening goal arrived in the 13^thminute. Valentin Verga was credited with the goal, driving in from the left before seeing his cross-shot take a wicked deflection off a Germany stick to put the Netherlands – 7-0 winners against Malaysia in their opening match of this World Cup – into the lead on the occasion of Max Caldas’s 100^thmatch in charge of the team.

Germany almost levelled a minute later when Mathias Müller hit the post with the goal at his mercy at the end of a slick penalty corner routine. While the pace of Rühr and Odisha Player of the Match Florian Fuchs certainly asked questions of the Dutch defence, the Netherlands looked the team most likely to score in the second quarter with Bakker, Jonas de Geus and Bob de Voogd all having clear sights at goal. However, Germany dragged themselves level just before half time, with Müller this time making no mistake to finish off a penalty corner identical to the one he had earlier missed.

The Netherlands were well on top in the third quarter but failed to take advantage of numerous penalty corner opportunities. It was something that would cost them dear, with Germany producing a stunning performance in the final quarter to claim a memorable 4-1 triumph over their great rivals. Lukas Windfeder’s low penalty corner drag-flick put Die Honamas ahead before a typical poacher’s finish from Marco Miltkau made it 3-1. The Dutch tried to rally, but any hope of rescuing the match ended when Christopher Rühr launched a penalty stroke high into the Netherlands goal to complete the scoring at 4-1 and put Germany firmly in control of Pool D.

“It is crazy to play 4-1 against the Dutch, we didn’t expect that”, said Germany’s Mats Grambusch after the match. “They were the better team in the third quarter, and we conceded a few penalty corners against us and they could have scored, but they didn’t because of our good defence. In the end we had the power to turn the match around in the final quarter.”

Malaysia (WR:12) and Pakistan (WR:13) took to the field in the day’s second Pool D match, with a 1-1 draw leaving Pakistan third in the pool, ahead of last placed Malaysia on goal-difference. However, with both sides having tough opponents in their final round of matches – Pakistan play Netherlands, Malaysia take on Germany – there is still the potential for the placings to change.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the first two quarters, with both teams having chances to take the lead but not making the most of their opportunities. Despite the lack of goals, it was certainly not short of entertainment as two attack-minded sides took each other on. Despite having conceded seven times against the Netherlands, Malaysia’s back-line showed great discipline to frustrate Pakistan’s attackers, while both goalkeepers – Malaysia veteran Kumar Subramiam and Pakistan’s Imran Butt – also impressed.

The third quarter was also scoreless, but the fourth quarter was full of excitement. Pakistan took the lead when Muhammad Atiq received a long pass from midfield before turning his marker and finding the bottom corner of the Malaysia goal. It was a strike that left Malaysia’s future in the competition very much hanging in the balance, but they hit back with five minutes left to play thanks to a superb penalty corner drag-flick from Odisha Player of the Match Faizal Saari, who sent an unstoppable effort into the top left corner to keep alive his team’s hopes of moving into the knockout stages.

Speaking after the match, Malaysia goalkeeper Kumar Subramiam said: “I think the guys played very well today. Being down one goal and then getting it back to 1-1 is not easy, so I think we did well. We know there is a big goal difference, but maybe that can change in the last round of matches.”

On Thursday 6^thDecember, the final round of matches in Pool A will take place, with Spain’s Red Sticks (WR:8) facing New Zealand’s Black Sticks (WR:9) at 1700 IST (UTC +5.30) before Argentina (WR:2) play France (WR:2) at 1900. Currently, reigning Olympic champions Argentina sit at the top of the pool with six points, with New Zealand in second place on three points. Spain and France both have one point from their two games, with Spain in third place ahead of their European rivals courtesy of a superior goal difference. The pool winner will earn a direct ticket to the quarter finals, while the teams that finish second and third will go into the cross-over play-offs. The team that finishes fourth will be eliminated from the competition.

Ahead of New Zealand’s crucially important clash against Spain – two sides that sit only one place apart in the FIH Hero World Rankings, Black Sticks captain Blair Tarrant said: “We expected our pool would be very tight, and that’s the way it is playing out. Argentina will top the pool, with Spain, France and ourselves still in with a chance of sealing a spot in the cross-over matches.With that in mind, the final pool games will be critical matches for everyone.”

Looking ahead to meeting between Argentina and France, the highest and lowest ranked teams in Pool A, Los Leones Head Coach German Orozco said: “Our form went from its lowest to its highest level in the first two games, although I still believe that we are not at our best level yet. With it being the last game in the pool, it is important that we continue to grow in this competition, something that will give us even more confidence.”

The Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 takes place between 28 November and 16 December. The Men’s World Cup is played every four years. For all information regarding the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, including the full schedule, teams, news and more, click here.

Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018

Day 8 Results – 5 December 2018: Pool D

Germany 4, Netherlands 1
Odisha Player of the Match: Florian Fuchs (GER)

Malaysia 1, Pakistan 1
Odisha Player of the Match: Faizal Saari (MAS)

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