INDIA: Netherlands posted a one-sided easy victory over New Zealand. Before the referee’s whistle, the Malaysia-Chile game was absolutely unpredictable.
New Zealand vs Netherlands
After crushing New Zealand 4-0 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela today in a Hockey World Cup match, the Netherlands all but guaranteed their place in the quarterfinals.
As for Malaysia, head coach Arul Selvaraj and his team must defeat New Zealand in order to place second in Group C and advance to the next round against a relatively easy opponent.
The Netherlands scored thanks to Thierry Brinkman (3rd, 13th), Koen Bijen (20th), and Tjep Hoedemakers (55th).
Malaysia vs Chile
Malaysia beat Chile 3-2 on Monday at the Birsa Munda International Stadium in a World Cup Pool C match.
This was an amazing comeback for Malaysian team thanks to goals from Razie Rahim, Ashran Hamsani and Sumantri Norsyafiq. The Asian team’s prospects of moving on to the knockout rounds were restored after the victory.
The first two quarters of the game were dominated by Chile, but Malaysia rediscovered its groove in the second half, making it a game of two halves.
In the first 10 minutes, Chile’s aggressive style nearly resulted in a goal, but Raimundo Valenzuela’s swiped effort went just wide.
In the 19th minute, Juan Amoroso’s potent penalty corner gave his team the advantage.
After Shahril Saabah’s shot toward the goal was stopped by Andres Pizarro’s foot, Malaysia’s Razie Rahim scored on a penalty shot to tie the game.
In the last period, Malaysia narrowly avoided several scares when it appeared that Chile had tied the score. Thanks to Franco Becerra, who skillfully flicked a potent shot from outside the circle to fool the goalkeeper.
Becerra’s feet were outside the circle when the ball made contact with them, so a thorough video review reversed the goal.
Just before the final hooter, Hafizuddin Othman made a foot stop on a penalty corner to give Malaysia the victory.
Also Read: FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup: India and England Play Out Goalless Draw
