The Netherlands qualified for the semi-finals from Pool A at the women’s field hockey World Cup on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Germany.
India took their first points of the tournament by defeating Japan 2-0 and Australia defeated New Zealand 4-1.
Australia and Germany meet in the last Pool A match today to decide the other semi-finalist.
PHOTO: AFP
Germany started the first half with a field goal by Maike Stoeckel who finished Natascha Keller’s unchallenged run into the circle with a slap inside the left post.
Maartje Paumen failed to convert two penalty corner chances for the Netherlands in the first half but opened the second half with an interchange with Minke Smeets to flick in off Germany goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds.
The Netherlands got the winner two minutes from time as Naomi van As set up Kim Lammers for an easy goal.
Germany coach Michael Behrmann felt as if he was watching a movie.
“Sometimes it feels like you are in a movie, fighting hard and having chances to score and at the end Netherlands wins,” Behrmann said.
Dutch coach Herman Kruis admitted his side had been shaded by Germany in the first half.
“In the first half several Netherlands players were playing below their normal level but after the break we had more power but I think we were lucky to win 2-1,” Kruis said.
India’s new golden girl, 16-year-old Rani Rampal helped her side upset Japan 2-0 by scoring India’s first goal, a deft push from near the top of the circle inside the right post from the top of the circle.
In the second half Jaseet Handa converted India’s second penalty corner with a flick which deflected off Japan’s runner and into the goal.
Rampal has scored in all India’s games and is the top field goal scorer at the tournament with five goals.
India coach Sandeep Somesh was relieved his side had managed to take three points.
“After three losses I am glad we could come away with some points and it lifts the morale of the team,” Somesh said.
Japan lacked fighting spirit and running power against India, according to Japan coach Zenjiro Yasuda.
New Zealand wore black arm bands today in sympathy with the Christchurch earthquake victims and were on the scoreboard early in the first half as Krystal Forgesson slotted home from close range.
Kobie McGurk converted Australia’s first penalty corner to equalize.
Australia put the game out of New Zealand’s reach late in the second half with three similar goals, scoring rebounds off New Zealand goalkeeper Beth Jurgeleit’s pads.
Ashleigh Nelson scored twice and Shelly Liddelow once for the final score of 4-1.
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