The 4 top-ranked sides expectedly made it to the semifinals of the FIH Men’s World Cup however with little separating Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium it’s troublesome to foretell which two’s quest for the title will proceed after the final 4 stage matches right here on Friday.
World primary Australia face Germany, ranked fourth within the FIH chart, within the first semifinal whereas defending champions Belgium tackle final two version’s runner-up Netherlands within the second final 4 match within the Battle of Lowlands on the Kalinga Stadium on Friday.
Of the 4 groups, world quantity three and three-time champions Netherlands have had the best passage to the semifinals with a 5-1 win over South Korea, who punched above their weight, of their quarterfinal match.
Germany, who’ve received the event twice however made it to the final 4 for the primary time since 2010, had the hardest path to the semifinals. They needed to play within the crossovers after ending second of their pool, whereas the opposite three groups straight certified for the quarterfinals.
Germany had been all however out of the semifinal race after trailing 0-2 until the 58th minute of their quarterfinal match towards a superb England aspect however the never-say-die Die Honamas struck twice within the final two minutes via Grambusch brothers to take the sport to the penalty shootout, which they received 4-3.
Australia, the final version bronze medallists, might begin as slight favourites towards Germany however it will likely be anyone’s recreation because the Kookaburras have additionally proven their vulnerability within the two of the 4 matches they’ve performed on this World Cup up to now.
The Australians wanted a 58th minute objective from their star penalty nook professional Blake Govers to steal a draw towards Argentina of their pool match.
They additionally trailed 0-2 until simply earlier than the half time towards Spain within the quarterfinals and needed to toil exhausting to win the match 4-3. The match may have gone to the penalty shootout — the place it may have been anyone’s recreation — however for a pricey penalty stroke miss from Spain captain Marc Miralles.
Australia have scored essentially the most variety of objectives from penalty corners with 9 coming from the set piece. They have scored 24 objectives, second most after the Netherlands (27) with penalty nook consultants Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers in high type.
Hayward is at present the best objective scorer with seven strikes whereas Govers is joint-third with 5.
Australia’s bodily and attacking play will likely be matched by the Germans who can even play energy video games, together with a properly organised defence and counter-attacking hockey.
Captain Mats Grambusch and his youthful brother Tom, in addition to Niklas Wellen, who’ve scored 5 objectives, would be the key gamers for Germany whereas they might hope that penalty nook professional Gonzalo Peillat additionally comes good after scoring simply two objectives up to now.
“We need to be at our greatest, there is no such thing as a escape from that. It will likely be a troublesome match,” Australia captain Aran Zalewski mentioned forward of the semifinals.
“Australia is a great team, physically very strong and with some very good individual players. But it is the same as we have. We will analyse our game and will improve, especially with the ball. It is going to be a tight match but hoping that we will get through,” Germany captain Mats Grambusch mentioned.
Playing of their 12 straight semifinals, Australia need to make their fifth ultimate look within the final six editions and clinch their third title within the final 4 editions. They completed runners-up in 2002 and 2006, received titles in 2010 and 2014 earlier than successful bronze within the final version.
Netherlands could be in search of their third straight ultimate however they may face the hardest check of the event within the type of defending champions and reigning Olympic gold medallists Belgium.
The Dutch haven’t confronted a lot resistance from any opposition, be it within the pool stage the place they’ve simply received all their three matches or within the quarterfinals.
The second semifinal will likely be a contest between the oldest and one of many youngest sides within the event.
Belgium have 11 gamers above the age of 30 whereas the Netherlands have eight gamers under 25 and simply two above 30.
The Red Sticks, who’ve include virtually all of the gamers who’ve received gold in Tokyo, are among the many fittest and little doubt among the many most skilled sides.
Netherlands have scored most objectives within the event with 27 strikes and Friday’s second semifinal will likely be a contest between essentially the most attacking aspect towards a crew with a high class assault and defence with the added benefit of successful excessive stress and most important video games.
Belgium will rely totally on Tom Boon — the second highest scorer with six strikes — for objectives whereas Arthur Van Doren and Arthur de Sloover would be the principal males on the defence after they misplaced Alexander Hendrickx resulting from damage. Captain Felix Denayer and Victor Wegnez will attempt to management the midfield.
The Dutch, alternatively, are anticipated to proceed their attacking recreation with with striker Koen Bijen and captain Thierry Brinkman being in nice contact with 5 objectives apiece.
Drag Flicker Jip Janssen will likely be their principal penalty nook taker and he’s additionally in good type with 5 objectives from 4 matches.
“Playing towards Belgium is at all times particular. They are a really skilled aspect, the oldest crew within the event. We are one of many youngest sides. We need to exit and play free-flowing hockey. It will likely be an attention-grabbing recreation towards Belgium,” said Netherlands coach Jeroen Delmee, who won two Olympic gold medals as a player.
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