Friday, June 19, 2009

JWC - GERMANY V HOLLAND FINAL


You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser. You are what you make yourself be.

And with that came to an end the dream of the New Zealand team as they went down fighting in the semi final of the Junior World Cup at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium.

Holland edged past the Kiwis, winning 4-1 after going behind in the early stages of the match.

And they will take on four time winners Germany who squandered a 2-0 lead to win 3-2 via golden goal against pre-tournament favourites Australia.

For Holland and Germany, the steeper the mountain the harder the climb the better the view from the finishing line as they contest for the title this Sunday in Johor Bahru.

It was heartbreak for New Zealand who took the lead in the 22nd minute through Simon Childs.

Holland drew level in the 39th minute when Jan Willen Buissant scored in the 39th minute.

Mink van der Weerden converted two penalty corners in the space of two minutes, the 60th and 62nd minute, to put Holland 3-1 ahead. Robbert Kempperman put the nail in the coffin by scoring in the 65th minute.

Australia were the early aggressors as the Germans are more then happy to allow them to attack. Aaron Kleinschmidt fails to score with only German keeper Nikhlas to beat but forces a penalty corner in the 2nd minute. However Timothy Bates attempt goes wide.

The German crept back into the game and opted to attack on the Aussies right. Typical German hockey was played, patient and long balls. Benedikit Fuerk misses a golden chance as he fails to connect.

Ten minutes into the match and play is centered around the midfield with no clear cut chances created.

Australia’s Jacob Wheton misses a sitter as he fails to deflect a cross by Matt Ghodes in the 15th minute.

German patience pays off as they break away on a counter with Florian Fuchs scoring in the 18th minute. Germany 1 Australia 0

Another sitter missed by Wheton in the 24th minute as he fails to deflect with the German goal gaping.

Germany go 2-0 ahead as they convert their first penalty corner with Patrick Schmidt scoring in the 26th minute.

Aaron Kleinschmidt pulls a goal back for Australia a minute before halftime.

Second half commences with Germany on the attack but the Aussie thwart their attacks with cool defending.

Australia equalizes in the 44th minute as Matt Ghodes goes on a solo run and his reverse stick attempt from the top of the semi circle beats German keeper Nikias. Australia 2 Germany 2.

Germany miss a clear chance when Schaht fails to connect at the far post in the 48th minute.

Australia then took control of the match as Germany rely on high balls over the Dutch defence but to no avail. Both teams are cautious as there are 15 minutes left on the clock.

Australia awarded penalty corner in the 63rd minute but waste the opportunity by hitting it wide.

Germany scored the golden goal in the 4th minute of extra time through Florian Fuchs and make a final date with Holland.