Hockey World Cup 2018: Clinical Germany run riot against wasteful Netherlands side to inch closer to direct quarter-final place

Bhubaneswar: Two-time champions Germany outclassed the last edition’s silver medallist Netherlands 4-1 in their second Pool D match to inch closer towards booking a direct quarter-final berth at the ongoing men’s hockey World Cup on Wednesday. [caption id=“attachment_5679891” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Germany got the better of the Netherlands, winning 4-1. Twitter@sports_odisha[/caption] Germany came back from a goal down and scored through Mathias Muller (30th minute), Lukas Windfeder (52nd), Marco Miltkau (54th) and Christopher Ruhr (58th) to register their second consecutive win in the pool. The Netherlands, however, took the early lead through Valentin Verga in the 13th minute. By virtue of this win, Germany are top of Pool D with six points from two wins ahead of the Netherlands, who are on three points. Germany had earlier defeated Pakistan 1-0 in their opening match, while the Netherlands had mauled Malaysia 7-0. In the battle between World No. 4 Netherlands and No. 6 Germany, the Dutch were the early aggressors but the Germans came to the party as the match progressed. Netherlands captain Billy Baker had the first real scoring opportunity in the eighth minute but his shot from a close range was brilliantly saved by German keeper Tobias Walter. But the Netherlands, who were the better team at least in the first quarter, were not to be denied the lead as Verga broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, tapping in Mirco Pruijser’s reverse hit cross from close range. The Germans got their first penalty corner seconds before the end of first quarter but were unlucky as Mathias Muller’s strike from a superb variation struck the post. Another Germany attempt, this time from Niklas Wellen’s reverse hit was saved by Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak. Germany continued to press hard and at the stroke of first quarter secured back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which resulted in a beautiful goal by Muller from a superb, well-executed variation. The Germans continued to be aggressive after the change of ends but it was the Netherlands who got four penalty corners in a span of two minutes but wasted all the opportunities. The missed opportunities cost Netherlands dear as Germany scored from their fourth penalty corner with Windfeder finding the back of Dutch goal with a low grounded flick. Two minutes later, Germany made the scoreline 3-1 in their favour when Miltkau deflected in a Niklas Wellen pass from the right flank. As if that was not enough for the Dutch, Germany struck again two minutes from the final hooter from a penalty stroke which was converted by Ruhr. For the full Hockey World Cup 2018 schedule, click here For all the results from the Hockey World Cup 2018, click here For the Hockey World Cup 2018 standings, click here To read stories from our Hockey World Cup memories series, click here To read legends' take on Indian hockey team's performances at the World Cup, click here To read stories from The Hockey Insider series, click here