The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Germany is champion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 05, 2004

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Germany is champion

AMSTERDAM, JULY 4. Mathias Witthaus emerged Germany's saviour with a 66th minute goal as his side came from behind for a 5-4 win against Olympic champions Holland in the final of the four-nation Rabobank hockey tournament here on Sunday.

Despite an early onslaught from the Dutch, who took a 2-0 lead by the sixth minute, Germany held its nerve till the last minute to emerge victorious at the Wagener stadium.

The final minutes of the title clash saw some drama as Germany played with ten players after Indian umpire Satinder Kumar sent off Michael Green for a foul.

But Germany warded off a desperate effort by the host to clinch its second title in a fortnight — the first being the Hamburg Masters in Germany.

Germany scored through Bjorn Michel (10th), Bjorn Emmerling (26th), Michael Green (37th), Christopher Zeller (51st) and Mathias Witthaus (66th). For Holland Matthijs Brouwer (3rd and 55th), Floris Evers (6th) and Martin Eeikelboom (21st) sounded the boards.

India finishes last

Pakistan showed India the way to score from penalty corners in a 5-3 win in the bronze medal play-off here on Saturday.

Pakistan scored four times from six penalty corners besides a field goal by Rehan Butt to quell the challenge of India, who finished the competition without a win.

This was India's second defeat to Pakistan in the four-nation meet.

Penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas proved yet again that he is the best in the business with two goals in his 200th International. Butt also scored a brace while Kashif Jawwad scored the other goal for the winner.

For India, captain Dilip Tirkey converted the lone penalty corner while Baljit Singh Dhillon and Gagan Ajit Singh added to the tally. — PTI

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