Highlights, Hockey World League Final 2017: Australia win their second title, India hold on to bronze

Australia got both the goals off penalty corners – Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers. For Argentina, it was Agustin Bugallo who made it 1-1 off a field attempt.

The World Champions are now the HWL Champions. Australia have just announced that they are back. After a slow start to the tournament where they drew 1-1 with India, the Aussies are now Champions.

AN AMAZING FINAL, COMING TO LIFE IN THE 2ND AND 4TH QUARTER. NOT EVEN AN INCH GIVEN BY BOTH THE TEAMS. THEY HAD THE CHANCES. BUT AUSTRALIA WITH THE BELIEF HAS DONE IT.

AND AUSTRALIA HAVE WON. THE WORLD CHAMPIONS ARE THE HWL FINAL CHAMPIONS. AUSTRALIA HAVE WON 2-1. SUPER 4TH QUARTER. ARGENTINA COULD HAVE COME BACK BUT WASTED TWO PC’S IN THE LAST MINUTE. WHAT A FINISH!

Seconds left.

But Australia save.

Australia defend. But Argentina create another one. One minute left. Argentina can get the equaliser? One more chance.

And it’s a PC. Under two minutes left. Can Argentina score? Huge moment in the match.

Under 2 mins left. Australia lead 2-1. But Argentina have a PC. There is a video referral happening too.

But the Aussie goalkeeper Tristan saves.

Argentina get the PC. Huge opportunity to get a equaliser.

GOAL!

GOAL!

AUSTRALIA SCORES. BLAKE GOVERS FIRES IT IN. LOVELY CONVERSION. IT’S 2-1. UNDER 3 MINUTES LEFT.

Both teams will try and avoid an error here. Argentina holding tight here. A man on every Aussie player. But Australia get a PC. Hugely dangerous. The World Champions can close the match here.

Under 5 minutes left. It’s still 1-1.

It’s not a PC. Free hit to Argentina.

Video Umpire taking a long time. He wants to be sure. It’s the 4th quarter.

Argentina has gone for a video referral. They want a PC. This could be dangerous for Australia.

And Argentina miss a sitter. Juan Lopez runs through but the shot goes wide. It’s him and the Aussie goalkeeper. Argentina almost clinch it. Under eight minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Australia almost get the match-winner through Lachlan Sharp. But the shot while on the run is wide.

4th quarter begins. Argentina will be dangerous here. Time and again, they switch beautifully when the teams are locked in a draw. But a lot will depend on Lucas Vila. He needs to find the width in the Aussie half.

That was so close. Australia almost had the lead with seconds to go. Eddie Ockenden switches but his slap shot hits the cross piece and goes out. That’s also the end of the 3rd quarter. Australia have the edge in the 3rd quarter. Now 15 minutes left for the teams to find a match-winner. It’s 1-1.

Just about two minutes left in the 3rd quarter. The tussle to find a match-winner might be carried over into the 4th quarter.

Three minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Australia had a good opportunity. But not able to put it away.

Aran Zalewski almost opens up the Argentine defence. But just.

Australia trying to create in the middle. This will be tough for them. Argentina blocking zones and not giving in. It’s 1-1 in the 3rd quarter with under 8 mins to play.

The stroke almost looked good but then the video umpire ruled that the push on Diego Paz didn’t warrant a stroke. But a PC. Argentina came close to snatching a goal and the lead.

Tristan Clemons saves twice of the PC. Australia survive. It’s still 1-1.

And instead of a stroke it’s a PC for Argentina.

Australia go for the referral. Argentina wait to convert it.

That’s a stroke.

The 3rd quarter is on. Something will give way here.

It’s a final that is going completely by the script. Initially, one did think that Australia would dominate the counters. But the Olympic Champions Argentina have stopped the free flowing Aussies. As the teams return, it’s 1-1. Two quarters to go. World Champions Australia Vs Olympic Champions Argentina.

Almost equal in opportunities for both the finalists. Argentina sticking to their structure. Australia trying to break with counters. At the moment it’s 1-1. It’s the Hockey World League Final.

Great save by Argentina goalkeeper Vivaldi. Coming off his line and gloving away. That’s the end of the 2nd quarter. It’s the break.

Classy defending by Argentina. Not breaking the structure at all. Australia finding it tough to create space. It’s 1-1 with a minute left in the 2nd quarter.

The Aussies being forced to play at the pace of Argentina. It’s 1-1. Tremendous tussle in the midfield. Under three minutes left in the 2nd quarter.

The Olympic Champions not wavering from their four defender structure at the back. Keeping man-to-man marking going as well.

Argentina creating space in the middle. Posession is the key now. Keeping the Aussie forwards away. Typical Argentina methods.

That was a lovely cross. Australia seemed a little out of position but Bugallo switches and deflects it in. Argentina have equalised. It’s 1-1.

GOAL!

GOAL!

STUNNING REPLY BY THE OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS. JUAN GILARDI CROSS AND BUGALLO CONNECTS. IT’S 1-1.

GOAL!

GOAL!

AUSTRALIA HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD 1-0. LOW FLICK BY JEREMY HAYWARD BEATS VIVALDI IN GOAL.

And that’s Australia’s 1st PC of the match.

The 2nd quarter begins. Interesting battle ahead. Argentina structure at the back extremely solid.

Both defending well. Australia might try and squeeze in a counter. While Argentina is patiently building through the midfield. It’s the end of the 1st quarter. Tough and intense.

Slightly scrappy now. Both trying to dominate the midfield. Argentina packing the middle after the initial Aussie attacks. The Olympic Champions will look for a penalty corner. They have Gonzalo Peillat.

Argentina getting into the match now. Slowly making their way up. The Olympic Champions take their time but they will build their dominance.

Five minutes into the match and it’s been Australia.

Australia dominating. Eddie Ockenden had the ball with the Argentina GK Vivaldi in front. But the angle was acute. Close call for Argentina.

And Dylan Wotherspoon almost controls in front of the Argentina goal.

Australia quickly into attack. But Argentina defend well and get into a counter. The Aussies are going to come hard. They know quick, early goals lead to more.

The final is seconds away.

Australia and Argentina have played 47 times with Australia winning 37. Four matches have been drawn with Argentina winning six times. Both teams played each other in the 2014 Champions Trophy where the Aussies won 4-2.

And that’s the National Anthem.

Teams coming out now. Australia and Argentina. Australia have dipped in their performance since winning the 2014 World Cup. While Argentina after winning the bronze medal at the 2014 World Cup have raised their performance by winning the 2016 Olympic Gold. A win here would reinforce the theory that the South Americans would keep the same team for a few changes going into the 2018 World Cup.

IT’S WORLD CHAMPIONS AUSTRALIA VS OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS ARGENTINA. CAN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS. SPEED AND PACE VERSUS STUBBORN CONTROL AND FAST COUNTERS.

India have a lot of work to do. But for now, it’s back to Argentina Vs Australia, the Big Final of the HWL.

Germany should be proud of their performance. It’s been incredible. Five to six main players injured. Yet they fought hard.

The Indian support staff gets Rs 5 lakhs each. For Sjoerd Marijne, it’s been a good run since he joined as National Coach. Under him, India won the Asia Cup and now pick up the bronze medal at the Hockey World League Final.

Indian players getting their medals. This could have come after the final. But India won’t complain. The players have also got Rs 10 Lakhs each from the Odisha state government.

India finish 2017 on the podium. It’s a great way to finish the year. After being bottom in the pool, beating Belgium in the quarterfinals and then picking up a bronze is a good finish.

India played well. But the coach would be miffed with the errors. Sumit’s yellow card was unnecessary. India had 20 circle entries to their 13. But in the shots India had 12 on goal to Germany’s 13.

Both teams still on the pitch. India in a huddle. Germany would be very proud. They didn’t have their best. Yet they played well and could have pulled off anything. They had 7 PC’s. Yet couldn’t score. But in the field, they kept coming and hit hard with the equaliser.

INDIA HAS CLINCHED THE 3RD SPOT; THEIR SECOND HWL BRONZE MEDAL.

GERMANY FLAT ON THE PITCH. WHAT A MATCH THEY PLAYED WITH JUST 11 PLAYERS. HARDLY ANY SUBSTITUTIONS. IT’S A BRAVE PERFORMANCE BY THE GERMANS.

AND THAT’S IT. INDIA HAS CLAIMED THE BRONZE. THEY WIN 2-1.

That was a great chance for Mandeep. Clock ticking away.

Two minutes left. India lead 2-1.

Uthappa helped off the pitch. Under 3 minutes left. Can India hold on?

Under three minutes left. India lead 2-1. Uthappa seems injured. Holding his hamstring.

India defend away Germany’s 7th PC. And Germany doesn’t have a referral too.

Germany have their 7th PC. Poor decision by Harmanpreet.

Germany did go for a referral. But the video umpire ruled a goal for India. Less than six minutes left in the 4th quarter.

GOAL!

GOAL!

HARMANPREET FLICKS IT IN. BALL HITS THE GOALKEEPER’S STICK AND GOES IN. IT’S 2-1.

Tobias makes a save off Rupinder’s flick. But India now has a 4th PC.

And that’s the 3rd. Harmanpreet flick hits the German defender.

And that’s the 2nd PC for India. Seven minutes left.

We have eight minutes left in the match. It’s still 1-1.

Germany hanging on. India unable to find the right stick. Sumit is back on the pitch. And his reverse hit just misses.

Mandeep fails to control. The Indian forward has had a bad tournament. He has time to make amends by clinching a move or a goal.

Good opportunity for Sunil. But he wastes the ball by not finding an Indian stick or a German foot.

4th and last quarter to begin. Both teams have 15 minutes to find a match-winner.

Great shot in by Manpreet. But Sunil misses. That was really close. Just a deflection and India could have had the lead. And that’s the end of the 3rd quarter.

IT’S INDIA 1 GERMANY 1

Sumit has been given a yellow card. India down to ten men. Poor tackle by Sumit.

And what a goof-up. Chinglensana let it go and Sumit taken by surprise. India waste the PC.

It’s remarkable that Germany after missing so many players is giving India a tough fight. And that’s India’s 1st PC of the match.

Germany now control the pace of the game. India needs to stretch again. They have to play through the middle. It’s surprising why they don’t.

That was a soft goal. India yeilded so much space in the defence. India also has a counter but cannot control the ball.

GOAL!

GOAL!

GERMANY GET THE EQUALISER. IT’S MATS TO MARK APPEL WHO ONLY HAS TO SLIDE THE BALL PAST THE GOALKEEPER. IT’S 1-1.

Florian Fuchs has an opening. But no support. Shot is wayward.

Germany can’t afford any more injuries. They already are a depleted team here. Counter from India – Varun to Manpreet but the Germans are alert.

Oh, what a miss from Akashdeep. Straight in line to the German goal. But the shot is saved by Walter Tobias.

India trying to force their way through. Germany know a 2nd goal could kill them.

And there they go for the 3rd quarter.

Expect more possession from Germany. India needs to build on the lead.

Teams are back on the pitch for the 3rd quarter. India lead 1-0.

Pace has been the key for India. It’s also the counter that got India the opening goal. They are pushing on speed, pace to beat the German defence.

Germany playing without 3-4 mainline players. They are not well. So rolling substitution an issue for the Germans. Most of their players have to play extended periods. That’s where the Indians need to take an advantage. Push from the middle and the flank and make sure the crosses are picked up.

Tremendous two quarters for India. Germany gets 6 PC’s and they can’t score. India yet to get a PC. But they are dominating the flank – the right one to be precise. All moves coming from there. But the one that got the goal was a reverse hit from the left and then the deflection which was shot in by Sunil.

And that’s the end of the 2nd quarter. It’s the break. India is leading 1-0.

Germany going back to possession.

And the flick is wide. 6 PC’s wasted. That is so unlike Germany. India dominating the counters. Germany with the possession.

And that is the 6th. They tried an indirect. But ball is lifted.

5th PC for Germany.

Germany trying to regain possession. Moving the ball around the Indian circle. Splendid rotation. And they get the 5th PC.

India getting the turnovers. They still need to play in the middle. And that’s a miss from Sumit.

Lovely move which stretched the German defence. Sunil, finally on target with his hit. India 1-0.

GOAL!

GOAL!

AKASHDEEP REVERSE AND SUNIL GETS THE REBOUND. SHOT STRAIGHT INTO GERMAN GOAL. IT’S 1-0, INDIA.

Low flick by Niklas. Karkera saves again. 4 PC’s saved now. India on the counter.

Great save from Karkera. Ball flying fast to the corner and he literally flings himself.  But now Germany get their 4th PC after a stick check.

And Germany gets a 3rd after Karkera has saved.

Germany get the PC. It’s the 2nd. Opportunity.

That’s a video referral from Germany. They are looking for a PC. Dangerous moments.

All moves again from the right. The issue is the midfield. No passes flowing from there.

Great move by India. Lalit to Akashdeep and the wonderful pass to Sunil who cuts further wide. Chance is gone.

Start of the 2nd quarter. Stands are completely full. India needs the goals to put Germany under pressure.

That’s the end of the 1st quarter. Chances almost equal. But Germany had the space.

Counter attack by India. But they can’t tap it in. Too many players grouped inside the German circle.

What a miss by the German captain Mats Grambusch. All the space and he shoots out.

Karkera saves. Niklas Bruns flick straight to the Indian GK.

And that is Germany’s 1st PC of the match.

Still attacks from the right flank. India not switching flanks.

Germany trying to regain control and possession. India needs to assert despite the domination.

India dominating the space between the German striking circle and the 25".

India using a lot of pace. Pegging Germany back in their defence. But they have to make use of the domination.

Umpire gives a free hit. It’s a back stick and India keep their referral.

Indian attacks concentrated on the right flank. Mandeep asking the umpire for a video referral; wants a PC.

Attacks happening both ways. Teams looking for an early. Mats with another chance but Karkera saves. At the other end, Akashdeep

Germany’s opportunity. Enough space. Mats Grambusch shoots wide.

India opening up the attack from the right flank. Through the middle with Manpreet Singh. But the Sunil cross is long.

And there they go.

Almost ready to begin here. Teams are in a huddle. India looking to finish 2017 on a high; they need a win against Germany.

In a few moments the National Anthem. India vs Germany – the bronze medal match here at the HWL Finals.

Suraj Karkera will be playing the first half against Germany. That’s how the management has operated playing two goalkeeper’s in each half. Teams coming out now.

In the HWL, both teams have played four times with India and Germany winning one each with two drawn.

India Vs Germany are just three short of a century of matches. Today is the 97th match-up. Stats are heavily in favour of Germany. India have won won 18, drawn 26 and lost 53.

After the India match, it’s the Final between the World Champions Australia and Olympic Champions Argentina.

Welcome to The Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. It’s the Final day with India playing for the bronze medal. It’s once again a repeat of the Pool match between India and Germany. In the Pool game, Germany beat India 2-0. Can India win today to go on a high in the tournament and finish the year on the podium?

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the Hockey World League Final in the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

We are here at the final day of the action from HWL where defending champions Australia take on Argentina in the summit clash. While Australia added to Germany’s injury woes by handing them a 3-0 defeat, Argentina’s defence stayed strong against an attacking Indian side and managed to convert a penalty corner to qualify for the finals. 

In the first match of the day, last edition’s bronze medallists India hope to reclaim their medal in match against Germany.

This would be followed by the summit clash between Australia and Argentina