INDIA: Germany’s 7-2 victory over South Korea on Friday at the Birsa Munda International Stadium was insufficient to jump Belgium for the top spot, which required a win by eight goals in its final World Cup Pool B match.
Germany vs South Korea
With Niklas Wellen’s goal in the first minute, the two-time champions got off to a quick start and set themselves up nicely.
After Martin Zwicker dispossessed Korea in its half, the ball went to Wellen, who spun away from his defender and scored with a reverse hit.
Germany, led by Andre Henning, had three opportunities to score from penalty corners but failed. Jonghyun Jang hit it low to the right of Alexander Stadler from a penalty corner in the final seconds of the first quarter to give Korea the equalizing goal.
Wellen scored once more in the first minute of the second half. Teo Hinrichs sprinted to find the striker, who ran in front of a defender and hit it on the half-turn. They could not score in the second quarter despite Germany’s possession and circle penetrations.
In the second half, both teams were level, with Moritz Trompertz shooting a tomahawk effort over the bar and Stadler keeping an eye out for two dangerous shots into the goalmouth area.
It was aggressive hockey from beginning to end, but Germany took the lead from a turnover. Hannes Muller was played in by Thies Prinz, who set up an unmarked Weller to score his hat trick with a quick finish.
From a penalty corner two minutes later, former Argentina international Gonzalo Peillat scored his first World Cup goal for Germany with a fierce drag-flick that deflected off a defender and found the back of the net.
Germany increased their intensity in the final quarter to outscore Belgium and frighten the defending champions.
After picking up a loose ball, Justus Weigand gave Peillat’s shot from the circle a light touch. Then, in the 52nd minute, Moritz Ludwig and Mats Grambusch scored two goals in a row.
Even though Germany had an 8-minute lead, it could not penetrate the thick Korean defense inside the circle. Korea capitalized on Stadler’s departure in search of goals by winning a penalty corner in the final minute when Jang converted a drag-flick.
In the crossovers on Monday, Germany will face France to advance to the final eight stages.
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