Monchengladbach, Sep 13 (UNI) Defending champion Germany and Asian Games gold medallist South Korea played a technically perfect goalless draw to sail into the semifinals as desperate Holland watched helplessly the door being shut on them in the hockey World Cup here today.
''It is diabolical and disgusting'' shouted the Dutch fans after the match but that was all they could do as the semifinal line-up was completed. This is for the first time in 16-years that Holland failed to make it to the semifinals of the World Cup.
Holland has made it to the last four stage for seven times in previous 10 editions of the World Cup, winning it three times.
With Spain and Australia from Pool A and Germany and Korea from Pool B filling in the last four berths, the Dutch will have to wait for another four years to have a go at the title.
The draw enabled Germany and Korea to finish the league with 11 points each and Holland's hopes went up in the smoke as they finished with 10 points.
The Dutch would have made it to the semifinals if there had been a result in this match. They had a much better goal difference and that would have helped them to jump ahead of the losing team.
This was the first match of the World Cup which ended in a goalless draw and with a single penalty corner being awarded.
The defending champion and the Asian games winners have played some scintillating hockey in their previous matches but today there was no urgency in the attack and their were no furious counter attacks either.
The Dutch players, along with coach Roelant Oltmans wringed their hands in frustration and desperation as time ticked away and they haplessly witnessed the proceedings.
They could do nothing as both the teams on the field played defensive game. Few moves here and few attacks there made no impression.
The crowd was not exactly happy, nor they were overtly unhappy as their team was playing for a place in the semifinals. The large number of Dutch fans were shell-shocked but could do nothing.
On the field, it was a perfect slow paced game with the Germans having an edge in the first session. Their attack was spearheaded by Christopher Zeller who made few good looking moves and was supported by Carlos Nevado.
More UNI HSB AY HS2152
''It is diabolical and disgusting'' shouted the Dutch fans after the match but that was all they could do as the semifinal line-up was completed. This is for the first time in 16-years that Holland failed to make it to the semifinals of the World Cup.
Holland has made it to the last four stage for seven times in previous 10 editions of the World Cup, winning it three times.
With Spain and Australia from Pool A and Germany and Korea from Pool B filling in the last four berths, the Dutch will have to wait for another four years to have a go at the title.
The draw enabled Germany and Korea to finish the league with 11 points each and Holland's hopes went up in the smoke as they finished with 10 points.
The Dutch would have made it to the semifinals if there had been a result in this match. They had a much better goal difference and that would have helped them to jump ahead of the losing team.
This was the first match of the World Cup which ended in a goalless draw and with a single penalty corner being awarded.
The defending champion and the Asian games winners have played some scintillating hockey in their previous matches but today there was no urgency in the attack and their were no furious counter attacks either.
The Dutch players, along with coach Roelant Oltmans wringed their hands in frustration and desperation as time ticked away and they haplessly witnessed the proceedings.
They could do nothing as both the teams on the field played defensive game. Few moves here and few attacks there made no impression.
The crowd was not exactly happy, nor they were overtly unhappy as their team was playing for a place in the semifinals. The large number of Dutch fans were shell-shocked but could do nothing.
On the field, it was a perfect slow paced game with the Germans having an edge in the first session. Their attack was spearheaded by Christopher Zeller who made few good looking moves and was supported by Carlos Nevado.
More UNI HSB AY HS2152
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