Highpoints of The Hague’s Hockey Action On Day 2 of the 2014 Rabobank World Cup

Second day at Hockey World Cup saw all league matches from Men’s and Women’s pool B. Germany’s World’s no. 2 men’s hockey team defeated South Africa 4-0; USA women shocked England with a 2-1 win; Argentina women were superb in their 4-1 victory over South Africa; Netherlands men defeated Argentina 3-1; New-Zealand men beat South Korea 3-1 and German and Chinese women were locked in a 1-1 draw.

Men’s Olympic champion Germany faced South Africa in the first match on Sunday. The incisive Germans began with steadily building their attacks while the South Africans were fast-paced and missed a few chances early in the match. In the latter part of the first half, Christopher Zeller and Mats Grambusch mounted attacks on the South African goal. Just before the 27th minute, Germany got a penalty stroke since Timothy Drummond fouled Benjamin Weiss inside the circle. Zeller made no mistake and Germany went 1-0 up. From this point onwards the German dominance began. At the stroke of the halftime, Germany scored again, when Thilo Stralkowski entered the circle from right and finished with a great shot into the goal. With a 2-0 lead at half-time, Germany built more pressure though South Africans defended gallantly. The third German goal came in the 56th minute from Grambusch, who was all over the place, inspiring his team with relentless running. He was in good position, when a perfect cross came to him from Martin Zicker and Grambusch took full advantage. Fourth German goal was a result of the wonderful work from Christopher Ruhr, who passed three defenders and his shot into the goal touched captain Oliver’s stick. But South African goalkeeper’s fantastic saves, the score was restricted to 4-0.

For the second Pool B match between Netherlands and Argentina, the Kyocera Stadium looked like a sea of orange with 15,000 local people coming to cheer their heroes, who played spectacular hockey in a style of their own. In the first 5 minutes, the Argentinian goal was raided by the pair of Rogier Hofman and Valentin Verga, both of whom fired scoring shots, but Argentina defended admirably. But in the 26th minute, the host produced a wonderful goal, when Seve van Ass worked up fine shot in the circle, where Verga neatly caressed the ball in. Argentinians protested video referrals decided the goal. Shortly afterwards, Argentina missed an equalizing opportunity but the equalizer did come in the 33rd minute, when Gonzalo Peillat drove home from a penalty corner. In the 40th minute, Netherlands went in front once again, when Mink van Weerden produced a deadly drag flick. Despite Argentina’s counter-attack, the equalizer didn’t come. In the 50th minute, Verga ran like Usain Bolt and passed the ball in the circle, where Rogier Hofman was present. Hofman made no mistake and the Netherlands emerged 3-1 winners in the match.

Sunday’s Pool B league game for men between New Zealand and South Korea was an intriguing contest with New Zealand taking an early lead, as the match began. Marcus Child managed to send the ball into Korean circle, where Steve Edwards’ first attempt bounced back but the alert Edwards fired again accurately. Though both teams played a fast-paced game, they couldn’t find scoring opportunities. In 64th minute, Korea equalized through Kim Seongkyu. The match appeared heading for a draw, when the Black Sticks earned a penalty corner in the 69th minute. Burrows scored after a penalty corner rebound from Kane Russell came his way and New Zealanders got away with a 2-1 win.

In women’s Group B match between USA and England, Paige Selenski scored USA’s first goal in the 3rd minute, when she made a dash into the circle and earned a penalty corner. When Caroline Nicholls struck the ball, it was Selenski whose tickle earned the goal. The second goal in 15th minute came under similar conditions. Only this time it was Michelle Vitesse, who elicited a foul in the circle. Just as Nicholls’ shot flew to the left, Kelsey Kolojejchick tapped it into the goal. England too earned five penalty corners but couldn’t convert any, except the last when Richardson-Walsh scored. USA finished with a 2-1 victory.

The Pool B women’s league match between China and Germany ended in a 1-1 draw. Though the match was goalless for most part, the proceedings kept the crowd on their toes. The first goal came in the 60th minute from the Germans, when Die Danas and Hannah Krueger combined to score from a penalty corner opportunity. But a minute later, China equalized when Peng barged into the circle from the right flank and hammered a powerful drive into the goal.

The last women’s game on Sunday featured Argentina and South Africa. In the 25th minute, Argentina earned their fourth penalty corner and D’Elia’s strike went thorugh. D’Elia scored again 2 minutes later and Argentina led 2-0 at half time. Argentina’s third goal came in 40th minute, when Noel Barrionuevo converted a penalty corner. The dominating Argentinians went 4-0 up in the 60th minute, when Delfina Merino scored a field goal. With minutes ticking away, South Africa reduced the defeat margin as Tarryn Bright scored from a fine cross.