Three-time champions the Netherlands on Thursday mauled lower-ranked Canada 5-0 in the final cross-over match to set up a quarterfinal clash against hosts India in the men’s hockey World Cup here.
Dominating the proceedings, Netherlands scored through Lars Balk (16th minute), Robert Kemperman (20th), Thijs van Dam (40th, 58th) and Thierry Brinkman (41st) to register the comfortable win at the Kalinga Stadium. The Netherlands will now play India in the last-eight round on Thursday.
Pakistan’s miserable campaign finally came to an end after Olympic silver medallists Belgium thrashed the four-time champions 5-0 in the third cross-over match earlier in the evening.
Staring the match as favourites, the Red Lions toyed with the Pakistani defence which somehow managed to hold on in the opening 10 minutes.
But once Alexander Hendricks (10th minute) converted a penalty corner, the Pakistani defence broke apart and gates opened up for Belgium. Besides, Hendricks, skipper Thomas Briels (13th), Cedric Charlier (27th), Sebastian Dockier (35th) and Tom Boon (53rd) were the other scorers for Belgium.
While Pakistan will pack their bags and return home, Belgium will take on Germany in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
In the match between World No 4 Netherlands and World No 11 Canada, the Dutch were the early aggressors as they made continuous forays.
The Canadians, on the other hand, preferred to sit back and defend while looking for counters to surprise their opponents.
Canadian goalkeeper Andrew Charter made a number of brilliant saves to keep his side in the hunt.
The Netherlands’ first chance came in the ninth minute but Charter came out of his line to pull off brilliant save and deny Bob de Voogd.
Seven seconds from the first quarter Netherlands earned their first penalty corner but Mink van der Weerden’s attempt sailed over the goal.
After 15 minutes of resistance, Canada’s resolute defence finally broke down seconds into the second quarter when an unmarked Balk sliding try from Glenn Schuurman’s pass found the back of the net past Charter.
Golden chance
Seconds later the Netherlands got a golden chance to double their lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke but Charter once again came to his side’s rescue to keep away Jeroen Hertzberger’s try.
The Netherlands, however, doubled their lead in the 20th minute through Robert Kemperman, who slap shot from the top of the circle found the Canadian net for the second time in the game. Canada’s James Wallace feeble try from close range was then easily parried away by Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak.
