INDIA: Formidable Germany sailed straight into the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup quarterfinals after thrashing France 5-1 in a crossover match on Monday at Kalinga Stadium.
Germany will play England in the fourth quarterfinal match in Bhubaneswar on January 25.
Germany was too much to handle for France, putting a lot of pressure on their opponent and winning the first penalty corner in the first minute of the game.
However, the Germans could not convert the penalty corner. They failed again after receiving a second penalty corner in the following minute.
In the sixth minute, France earned their first penalty corner and showed signs of improvement, but they could not capitalize.
Germany came back strongly through Miltkau Marco, who scored a brilliant field goal in the 14th minute to give them the lead. Germany prevailed 1-0 in the first quarter.
In the 16th minute, Germany’s Oruz Timur received a green card to begin the second quarter. However, the Germans’ spirit was unaffected.
Wellen Niklas scored another field goal after a fierce hit from the left flank to increase their lead after two minutes.
In the 20th minute, Germany gained two consecutive penalty corners as it pressed for more goals. However, the chances were thwarted by the rock-solid French defence.
Germany increased its lead to 3-0 with a field goal from Grambusch Mats in the 23rd minute as it continued to assert itself over France.
In the following minute, the Germans won another penalty corner, which Trompertz Moritz nimbly converted to make it 4-0 in Germany’s favour.
In the 28th minute, France tried to create their second penalty corner opportunity, but they could not convert it.
Germany’s dominance persisted in the second half. In the 34th minute of the match, they had opportunities for two penalty corners but failed to take advantage of them.
In the 44th minute, they had another chance with a penalty corner but failed to take advantage of it. The third quarter ended without either side scoring a goal.
France put up some resistance to the Germans’ relentless assault in the fourth and final quarter.
In the process, France got four penalty corner opportunities in succession in the 57th minute, which gave them a chance to score. The final one, which Goyet François converted, brought the score to 4-1.
Gonzal Peillat took advantage of a penalty corner opportunity Germany created in the final minute to smash a goal and win the match 5-1 in Germany’s favour.
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