World Cup

World Cup
World Cup : NEW DELHI — The Netherlands defeated New Zealand 3-1 to remain perfect while Germany routed Canada 6-0 for its second biggest win ever in the field hockey World Cup on Wednesday.
Also, South Korea came from behind to edge spirited Argentina 2-1 when Nam Hyun-woo converted a last-minute penalty corner.

Beside Pool B leader England, the Netherlands were the only other team with two wins from two games. It topped Pool A with 6 points, two more than Germany and South Korea. New Zealand had 3, while Argentina and Canada each had none.

Kiwi captain Phillip Burrows stunned the Netherlands with a goal in the first minute but the lead lasted only one minute.

Ronald Brouwer capitalized on a rebound after Dutch captain Teun de Nooijer’s reverse flick was blocked by goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex.

Six minutes later, penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema’s drag flick shot the Netherlands ahead.

He equaled his team’s record for World Cup goals of 17, set by another corner specialist, Floris Jan Bovelander, from 1986-94. Taekema’s fourth goal in two matches also extended his record of scoring in the Netherlands’ last six World Cup matches.

Jeroen Hertzberger made it 3-1 when he cashed in on an easy opportunity in the 27th minute. Dutch goalie Guus Vogels then featured in a second half in which he blocked out the Black Sticks with some marvelous saves.

Germany’s score was its highest in the World Cup in 32 years. Only a 7-0 win over India in 1976 was bigger for the world and Olympic champions.

Germany went ahead after only three minutes when Benjamin Wess pushed the ball past Canada goalkeeper Dave Carter after receiving a timely pass from Oskar Deecke.

Then three successive goals off penalty corners in a six-minute span took the steam out of Canada as Jan-Marco Montag, captain Maximillian Muller and Martin Haner all found the target to give Germany a 4-0 advantage by halftime.

Man of the match Florian Fuchs’ completed the scoring with two brilliant field goals in the second half. Fuchs has 10 goals in nine appearances.

Nam Hyun-woo’s flash low flick off a last-minute penalty corner earned South Korea its first win at Argentina’s expense.

After a goalless first half, Facundo Callioni put Argentina ahead in the 53rd minute off a fine pass from Juan Martin Lopez.

But South Korea came back strong when You Hyo-sik set up captain Seo Jong-ho to score off a reverse flick in the 62nd.

On Thursday, Pool B resumes with: South Africa vs. Australia, England vs. Pakistan, India vs. Spain.