Preview: A rare history awaits two-time defending champions Australia as they chase a record hat-trick of titles, taking on Netherlands in the semi-finals of the men’s hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday. World No 1 Australia is second only to four-time champions Pakistan, having won the world title thrice before, which includes back-to-back gold medals in the last two editions of the tournament in 2010 and 2014. Come Saturday, the Kookaburras will be chasing their third consecutive world crown. But it would be easier said than done as in world no.4 Netherlands a tough contest awaits Australia. The Dutch, who have won the title thrice before – the last time being in 1998 – too would be desperate to break their 20-year-old jinx. Netherlands would be high on confidence especially after their hard-fought 2-1 win over home favourites India in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Going by form and world ranking, it is expected to be an edge of the seat thriller between the two teams, who prefer to play totally contrasting style of hockey. While attacking hockey is the back bone of Australia, the Dutch mostly prefer to play waiting game with a compact defence and relying more on counters to surprise their opponents. There is hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides going by recent head-to-head record. Since 2013, Australia and Netherlands have played each other 11 times with the Kooburras winning five and losing four while two ended in draws. The Australians made a slow start but grew in confidence as the tournament progressed. After a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ireland in their opener, Australia stepped on the gas and registered convincing wins over England (3-0), China (11-0) and France (3-0). The Dutch, on the other hand, started with a bang and mauled Malaysia 7-0 before losing 1-4 to Germany. They defeated Pakistan 5-1 in their last pool match before beating Canada 5-0 in the cross-overs and eking out a close 2-1 win over India in the quarterfinals. The Australia-Netherlands match has all the makings of a classic. In 2014 at The Hague, Australia came out on top against Netherlands 6-1 in front of home crowd to lift their second consecutive World Cup. And Saturday’s encounter will provide the Dutch an opportunity to avenge their loss four years ago. But in the last four years since they met in the final of 2014, much has changed. The likes of Jamie Dwyer, Mark Knowles and Glenn Turner have retired but the Kookaburras have rebuilt brilliantly under coach Colin Batch since the disappointment of Rio Olympics and have returned to the top of the world rankings. The Dutch, on the other hand, are unquestionably much tougher under Max Caldas now than they were four years ago. Australia’s Daniel Beale too agreed that it would be a tough, exciting battle on Saturday for a place in Sunday’s summit clash. “We are into the crucial stage of the tournament. We got to watch last night’s match between Holland and India. So we have learnt a lot from that. We are expecting a very tough match tomorrow,” he said. “We have very proud history. There is no special formula. We work hard, we train hard. We are fiercely competitive. Every tournament we go we go to win.” Beale said what happened four years ago will hardly have any impact in Saturday’s must-win game. “In 2014 Australia had great success in the final but that was a long time ago and this group has changed immensely. So we are looking to create a bit of history,” Beale said. “Holland are a very tough team. They have quality players. Billy (Bakker), (Robert) Kemperman, (Valentin) Verga. We wil do our homework and try to nullify them.” Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallist Belgium too would be looking to create history by making their maiden World Cup final appearance when they take on England in the first semi-final earlier in the day. With inputs from PTI
Australia vs Netherlands, Hockey World Cup 2018 Semi-final, Match Highlights: Dutch make to final after winning in shootout
Catch the Live score and updates from the Hockey World Cup 2018 second semi-final match between Australia and Netherlands
 "Australia vs Netherlands, Hockey World Cup 2018 Semi-final, Match Highlights: Dutch make to final after winning in shootout")
Phew, that was some breathtaking match. Australia were down by two goals, but never gave up the fight and equalised in the very last minute of the match. The shootout was also crazy with the Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak proving to be their team’s hero. In the end, it’s fair to say that the Dutch deserve to be in the final. They will play Belgium for the title.
So we will be back again tomorrow with the Live coverage of the final. Do join us then. For now, it’s goodbye!
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 3-4 NED
Netherlands goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak is the Man of the Match. No doubt about it! Single-handedly he sent the team into the final.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 3-4 NED
WHAT A MATCH! No golden hat-trick for the defending champions as The Netherlands prevail in the sudden death. It was a match befitting the stage, and both teams can take plenty of heart from this game. Belgium will meet The Netherlands tomorrow in the final, while Australia and England will play for the third place.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 3-4 NED
SAVE! Blaak does it, Beale misses the shot. The Dutch have qualified to the final.
WHAT. A. GAME.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 3-4 NED
Hertzberger hardly disappoints. He keeps the Dutch in the game. Aussies got to score.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 3-3 NED*
Thijs van Dam with a outstanding 360 degree turn to score.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 3-2 NED*
Final shot for the Aussies and they score. Well done, Jake Whetton.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 2-2 NED*
Under pressure and Van Ass delivers to make it 2-2.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 2-1 NED*
No goal! Foul from Tim Brand so Aussies miss their chance.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 2-1 NED*
Charter saves! A superb one to deny the Dutch.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 2-1 NED
Solid! Kemperman scores to give Aussies the lead in the shootout.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 2-1 NED
Solid! Kemperman scores to give Aussies the lead in the shootout.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 1-1 NED
SAVE! Oh it’s a retake. But the video umpire says nothing wrong so the Dutch miss their chance.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 1-1 NED
Nicely done! Beale scores for the Aussies.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 0-1 NED*
The Dutch scored. Hertzberger first shot is saved but he makes no mistake the next time.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 0-0 NED*
And Zalewski misses it. A poor shot, I would say.
Match score: AUS 2-2 NED
Shootout score: AUS 0-0 NED*
Right then, Australia’s Aran Zalewski is going first.
AUSTRALIA 2-2 NETHERLANDS
So we will have a shootout for the first time in the tournament.
AUSTRALIA 2-2 NETHERLANDS
Unbelievable!! Less than 25 seconds to go and Australia have the equaliser. Wow! Eddie Ockenden has brought this game alive at death.
AUSTRALIA 2-2 NETHERLANDS
It’s a goal! There’s nothing wrong with it. So in the very last minute, the Aussies have made it 2-2. My goodness!
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
GOAL! Australia equalise! Oh wait, the Dutch are reviewing.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
Less than 2 minutes to go and Australia have taken off their goalkeeper. Almost on cue, they force a PC. And Pirmin Blaak saves again! What a day he is having!
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
Penalty corner for the Aussies. Another chance to equalise,
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
Less than five minutes to go and Australia still searching an equaliser. Their shots on goal were foiled by some excellent defending by the Dutch, and their turnovers have been threatening as well. Can Netherlands hold on?
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
WHAT A SAVE! Brilliant chance for Aussies to equalise but once again, Pirmin Blaak denies them. Less than seven minutes left in the match.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
Nothing from the penalty corner as the Dutch goalkeeper does well to save the shot.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
The video umpire sees no clear reason to change the decision so the Dutch have a chance to double their lead once again.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
Penalty corner for Netherlands. The Aussies have referred it.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
The final quarter begins. Australia under pressure to find an equaliser.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
GOAL!! Australia pull one back in style. That was some variation in the PC. Tim Howard gets on the scorecard. And that’s the end of the third quarter.
AUSTRALIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS
GOAL! Aussies have pulled one back after a good play from a penalty corner. Tim Howard is the goal-scorer.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Well well, just as I said that, Australia have a penalty corner.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Netherlands are doing extremely well to hold on to their lead. Not allowing Australia to create many chances.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Great run by Van Ass, but the shot is off the target.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Despite numerous attacks, Aussies are failing to break the Dutch defence. So far so solid from the European nation.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Yellow card for Verga. The Dutch has down to 10 men. Time for Australia to up the ante.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Time for the third quarter. Can the Dutch hold on to their lead?
The first-half stats
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
The end of the second quarter. After an impressive start, the Aussies conceded two goals. The Dutch didn’t waste many chance, and hence they are leading by two goals.
AUSTRALIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS
Another penalty corner after the ball hits the foot of the first runner. This time, the Aussies manage to clear the danger.
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