Date:03/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/03/stories/2007120360292300.htm

Sport - Hockey

Spain holds the Netherlands

S. Thyagarajan

Kuala Lumpur: Sunday’s matches in the Champions Trophy tended to be patchy and prosaic save for a tinge of flourish, like the impeccable goal that Teun di Nooijer struck for the Netherlands against Spain.

That apart the significance of the hockey’s premier annual event lay in the way Spain dominated, almost derailing the Netherlands, which went dutch finally at 3-3.

This was the first loss of points for the reigning champion after two convincing victories. Why the Dutch slipped into such an insipid phase after the start from de Nooijers goal and conceded so much space to the Spaniards to recover through brilliant goals by Tabau and David Alegre must have baffled coach Roelant Oltmans.

The Spaniards flowered almost to the point of causing an upset, leading 3-2 after a 2-1 margin in the first half before their dreams crashed from a scorcher from Ronald Brauwer.

Then, just as one thought that Sarjit’s boys were on the threshold of picking up a point for Malaysia against the hard-working Brits, the defenders capitulated to the pressure and suffered a 2-3 reverse.

An immaculate shot by Ben Hawes from the top of the circle provided a fitting finale to Britain’s first win in three matches.

Korea, which shocked Olympic champion Australia was almost set for a repeat against World champion Germany. Eventually, the Koreans ended at the side of defeat after Sesbastian Draguhn produced the match-winner.

The results: The Netherlands 3 (Teun di Nooijer, Rob Reckers, Ronald Brouwer) drew with Spain 3 (Victor Sojo, Eduard Tabau, David Alegre) HT: 1-2; Great Britain 3 (Stephen Dick, Rob Moore, Ben Hawes) beat Malaysia 2 (Tajuddin, Mohd. Nor) HT 0-1; Gemany 2 (Emmerling, Draguhn) beat Korea 1(Yew Woon Koon) HT: 0-1; Australia 2 (Nathan Eglington, Travis Brooks) beat Pakistan 1 (Akhtar Ali) HT: 1-0.

Monday’s matches: The Netherlands v Korea (1-35 p.m.); Australia v Great Britain (3-35 p.m.); Germany v Spain (4-05 p.m.); Pakistan v Malaysia (5-35 p.m.).