Finance
A cautious Australia will be hoping to find its rhythm and maintain its winning streak against a resurgent Germany in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup semifinal at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday, while defending champion Belgium will face the Netherlands in a rematch of last year’s title clash for a final spot.
World number three and three-time champions Netherlands advanced to the semifinals with a 5-1 win over South Korea, who punched above their weight in their quarterfinal match.
Germany, which has won the tournament twice but reached the final four for the first time since 2010, had the most difficult path to the semifinals. They had to play in the crossovers after finishing second in their pool.
Germany was all but out of contention for the semifinals after trailing 0-2 until the 58th minute of their quarterfinal match against a brilliant England side, but the never-say-die Die Honamas scored twice in the final two minutes through the Grambusch brothers to force a penalty shootout, which they won 4-3.
Australia, bronze medalists in the previous edition, will start as slight favorites against Germany, but it will be anyone’s game because the Kookaburras have shown vulnerability in two of the four matches they have played in this FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup so far.
The Netherlands would like to reach their third consecutive final, but they will face the tournament’s toughest test in the form of defending champions and reigning Olympic gold medallists Belgium.
So far, the Dutch have not encountered much opposition. The second semifinal will feature a match between the tournament’s oldest and youngest teams. Belgium has 11 players over the age of 30, while the Netherlands has eight players under the age of 25 and only two over the age of 30.
Australia will play Germany in the first semifinal at 4.30 p.m. (IST), while Belgium and the Netherlands will play at 7 p.m. (IST).
The championship final will also be played at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday at 7 p.m. (IST).
Source:OCN
