The 4 top-ranked sides expectedly made it to the semifinals of the FIH Males’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 instantly 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 by means of 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 is going to 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.
Additionally they trailed 0-2 until simply earlier than the half time towards Spain within the quarterfinals and needed to toil arduous to win the match 4-3. The match might have gone to the penalty shootout — the place it might have been anyone’s recreation — however for a expensive penalty stroke miss from Spain captain Marc Miralles.
Australia have scored probably the most variety of objectives from penalty corners with 9 coming from the set piece. They’ve scored 24 objectives, second most after the Netherlands (27) with penalty nook specialists Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers in high type.
Hayward is at the moment the best objective scorer with seven strikes whereas Govers is joint-third with 5.
Australia’s bodily and attacking play might 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.
“Now we have to be at our greatest, there isn’t a escape from that. It is going to be a tricky match,” Australia captain Aran Zalewski mentioned forward of the semifinals.
“Australia is a good staff, bodily very robust and with some excellent particular person gamers. However it’s the similar as we’ve got. We are going to analyse our recreation and can enhance, particularly with the ball. It’ll be a decent match however hoping that we’ll get by means of,” Germany captain Mats Grambusch mentioned.
Taking part in of their 12 straight semifinals, Australia need to make their fifth closing 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 on the lookout for their third straight closing however they are going to face the hardest take a look at 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 might 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 beneath 25 and simply two above 30.
The Crimson Sticks, who’ve include nearly all of the gamers who’ve received gold in Tokyo, are among the many fittest and little question among the many most skilled sides.
Netherlands have scored most objectives within the event with 27 strikes and Friday’s second semifinal might be a contest between probably the most attacking aspect towards a staff with a high class assault and defence with the added benefit of successful excessive strain 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 fundamental males on the defence after they misplaced Alexander Hendrickx as a result of harm. Captain Felix Denayer and Victor Wegnez will attempt to management the midfield.
The Dutch, then again, 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 might be their fundamental penalty nook taker and he’s additionally in good type with 5 objectives from 4 matches.
“Taking part in towards Belgium is at all times particular. They’re a really skilled aspect, the oldest staff within the event. We’re one of many youngest sides. We need to exit and play free-flowing hockey. It is going to be an attention-grabbing recreation towards Belgium,” mentioned Netherlands coach Jeroen Delmee, who received two Olympic gold medals as a participant.
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