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Defending champions Belgium will lock horns against two-time gold medalists Germany in the final match of the 15th Mens Hockey World Cup at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on January 29. Australia and Netherlands, both three-time champions will fight for the bronze medal also on January 29.
In the exciting semifinals today at Kaliinga Stadium, Germany overcame Australia 4-3, while Belgium got the better of Netherlands 3-2 in shoot out after play in the regulation time ended in 2-2 draw.
Asserting supremacy in the first two quarters, Australia led 2-0 with Jeremy Hayward converting a penalty corner and Nathan Ephraums scoring a field goal in the 11th and 26th minute respectively. But like their previous match against England, Germany fought back to level the score with dragflick ace Gonzalo Peillat converting one penalty corner each in the third and last quarter.
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The last two minutes of the match was a nerve-wraking affair with Blake Govers restoring the lead for Australia by converting a penalty corner in the 57th minute. Less than a minute later Germany were back level again as Peillat completed his first hat-trick for the Honamas to bring them level again.
With less than a minute left it looked like the game would go to a shoot-out. But in a dramatic climax, Niklas Wellen won the match for Germany scoring a field goal with six seconds left on the clock. The vital goal fetched him the award as Player of the Matchc.
The second semifinal between Belgium and Netherlands proved to be a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, where the former had won the gold, beating the latter 3-2 in shootout.
In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Netherlands took a 2-0 commanding lead with dragflicker Jip Janssen converting penalty corners in the 11th and 35th minutes. However, a goal each by dragflicker Toom Boon and Nicolas de Kerpel helped Belgium fight back to level the score.
The Belgians were clinical in the shoot-outs, scoring three of their first four attempts despite the best efforts from the in-form Dutch keeper Pirmin Blaak, while Vincent Vanasch, who had been excellent in the game as well, starred in the shootouts, pressuring Netherlands into three misses from their five takes, earning his side a 3-2 win and the Player of the Match award for himself.
RESULTS (27 January 2023):
Match 37 (SF-1, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar): Germany (Gonzalo Peillat 42-PC, 51-PC, 58-PC; Niklas Wellen 59-FG) beat Australia (Jeremy Hayward 11-PC, Nathan Ephraums 26-FG, Blake Govers 57-PC) 4-3. PoM: Niklas Wellen.
Match 38 (SF-2, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar): Belgium (Tom Boon 36-PC, Nicolas De Kerpel 44-FG) drew with Netherlands (Jip Janssen 11-PC, 35-PC) 2-2. Shootout: Belgium (Victor Wegnez, Arthur De Sloover, Florent Van Aubel) beat Netherlands (Jonas De Geus, Jorrit Croon) 3-2. PoM: Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)
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TOP: German dragflicker Gonzalo Peillat celebrates after completing his hat-trick in their World Cup semifinal match against Australia in Bhubaneswar on 27 January 2023.
RIGHT: Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch celebrates after helping his team win the World Cup semifinal match against Netherlands in Bhubaneswar on 27 January 2023.
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