9-12 Playoff
Japan 5 defeated South Africa 2
Goals: JPN – Kazuo Yoshida PC 7m, Akira Ito FG 25m, Toshiaki Fukuda FG 47m FG 64m, Mitsuru Ito FG 61m; RSA – Ian Symons PC 37m PC 58m
The early game of the day was the first of the two crossover matches in the 9-12 bracket, South Africa facing Japan.
From the beginning, Japan took the initiative, South Africa coming across as tired and sluggish compared to the agile and motivated Asians.
The much more experienced Africans probably had the more and better opportunities but were held back by themselves, moving too slowly and struggling with too many unforced errors that produced turnovers and allowed the Japanese too much room in attack.
Using their opportunities wisely, the Japanese sunk two in the first half that produced no response from the South Africans for a 2:0 halftime lead.
In the second half, the pace picked up considerably, and a total 5 goals were scored, but Japan maintained good control of the match the entire time and South Africa never managed to get their bearings.
Japan’s first goal had come very early in the game. Mitsuru Ito won a penalty corner with a piece of good skills that was converted by Kazuo Yoshida with a good drag flick.
Following Yoshida’s goal that clearly caught the South Africans by surprise, they seemed more motivated, but for the time being could not get onto the scoreboard, still struggling with a lack in control and coordination.
Japan looked more dangerous throughout the first half and extended their lead to two in the 25th minute when Akira Ito cleverly deflected a hit into the circle, and with this result, the teams went into halftime.
When they returned, South Africa got one back after barely two minutes with a powerful flick from Ian Symons at their first penalty corner of the match.
For a moment it seemed like South Africa had gotten their foot in the door and might still be able to turn the tables but Japan had clearly warmed to the sweet taste of victory: with a goal from Toshiaki Fukuda, they restored their two goal lead.
Mitsuru Ito had intercepted another sloppy South African pass and laid off for Akira Ito on the right who forwarded directly to the unmanned Fukuda in the circle. Fukuda had an easy task pushing the ball over the line for the 3:1 and his first goal of the day.
South Africa once more faced the challenge ofgetting back into the race and succeeded in diminishing Japan’s lead to one goal with another penalty corner, again converted with an Ian Symons flick.
But Japan were still the better team and restored their lead three minutes later, taking advantage of sloppy defending from the Africans, the ball ending up with Mitsuru Ito unmanned in front of an open goal.
Japan piled on another one late in the game, when another mistake in the South African defense left the ball with Fukuda for his second of the day.
South Africa responded by taking keeper Chris Hibbert of the field, substituted by Brenden Botes who made his first appearance in the BDO World Cup.
The clock ticked down however, South Africa unable to do anything about the impending defeat. Japan deservedly won today’s match, having been the more focussed and motivated team.
South Africa's performance today can best be described as disappointing – they did not come near to realizing their potential and looked physically and mentally exhausted despite coming off two rest days.
With this result, Japan go into the match for 9th place, a great achievement given that they entered the tournament as 12th seed, their current ranking as world number 14 placing them 2 steps behind any other team in this tournament and 4 behind South Africa – as well as far behind their opponent in the match for 9th place – either India, current world number 6, or Argentina, world number 7.
Argentina 3 defeated India 2
Goals: ARG – Mati Vila PC 41m PC 62m, Mati Paredes PC 51m; IND – Arjun Halappa FG 3m, Rajpal Singh FG 54m
In the second crossover match in the 9-12 playoff, Argentina met India. Both teams had performed disappointingly in the tournament preliminary round, confining them – the current world’s number 6 and 7 respectively – to the bottom third of the standings.
The line-ups provided the first surprise as India fielded their second goalkeeper Bharat Chettri instead of the usual Adrian D’Souza and sent their superstar Gagan Ajit Singh to the stands as one of the two players not partaking in today’s encounter.
Nonetheless, the first half was all India’s. Argentina could not get their act together, struggling with mistakes and misunderstandings in all areas.
India attacked much but was rarely dangerous, unable to transform their dominance into goals scored. This characterized their game during the entire 70 minutes – playing well and attacking much but failing to finish off what they started.
The teams went into halftime at 1:0, the second half seeing a complete role reversal as the Argentines returned from the break a changed side. India were unable to step their game up a notch and had to watch the South Americans move past and claim the game.
The South Americans scored three goals, all from penalty corners, in the second half, while allowing only a single Indian goal which eventually gave them the win and the berth in the match for 9th place.
India’s first goal came very early in the match, Arjun Halappa tapping in a good pass from Shivendra Singh in the third minute.
The rest of the first half provided few goal scoring opportunities. Argentina struggled in the back and could rarely mount promising attacks at all, their best chances coming from a handful of penalty corners that were all wasted.
India on the other hand had much bigger parts in ball possession and more forward drive but as so often in this tournament lacked the finishing touch.
Shortly after the break, Argentina now much more focussed and persistent, they won a penalty corner. The first shot briefly lost in the crowded circle, the ball reappeared in front of Mati Vila who hit it in for the equalizer.
Argentina now was much more dangerous and finally able to create opportunities.
For the time being, India was still able to hold on, but it was a matter of time. In the 51st minute, Argentina won another penalty corner. Ibarra flicked, Chettri saved, the ball falling down and coming to a rest on the ground, centimetres from the goal line.
Mati Paredes was quickest to react and pushed it over for the 2:1 lead.
India’s response was immediate however, Vikram Pillay passing for Ignace Tirkey who forwarded the ball to Raj Pal Singh near the left post who had no difficulty tapping it in.
From then on, the game was equal, both teams pushing for the elusive win and having equal shares in ball possession and attacking time.
Once more, India broke down when it came to scoring however, while Argentina wisely tried for penalty corners which had served them well in this match so far.
In the 63rd minute, they won one which led to another which was converted by Mati Vila with a low flick for the winning goal.
It was an unlucky defeat for India who had a good game, while Argentina was never convincing but were much more effective in using the few chances they had.
The goals also reflect the situation in the match well: India scored two field goals, clearly the better team in open play, while Argentina, failing to get dangerous from open play, relied on the penalty corners they were presented with. It was a win of efficiency over attractiveness.
7-8 Playoff
Netherlands 3 defeated New Zealand 0
Goals: NED – Roderick Weusthof FG 33m PC 49m, Taeke Taekema PC 40m
In the first of the classification matches, Holland met New Zealand in the battle for 7th place.
New Zealand had had a good start into the tournament but been unable to maintain their good performances and results as it progressed while the Netherlands, dubbed one of the big favourites prior to the event, have of course played well below their possibilities.
Confined to the 5-8 playoff after dropping points to Korea and Germany and the controversial match between the two that ended 0:0, the Dutch lost to Pakistan yesterday with another appearance well below par.
In stark contrast to yesterday, the Netherlands today were never in any danger and easily snatched the 7th place from the New Zealanders.
Holland dominated the first half, finally back in good form, and had scores of chances both from open play and through penalty corners. The New Zealand defense did a very good job in keeping them under control however.
It wasn’t until shortly before the break that Holland scored, when with a minute and a half left in the first half, Teun de Nooijer made a run down the right and looked up to find Roderick Weusthof in the middle of the circle. A pinpoint pass followed for the unmanned Weusthof who turned for an equally superb reverse stick shot that slammed into the net high on the right.
The teams went into the break with the Netherlands 1:0 in the lead.
During halftime, FIH President Els van Breda Vriesman and IOC President Jacques Rogge presented the WorldHockey player of the year awards. The senior award, WorldHockey Player of the Year 2006, went to Teun de Nooijer, winning the award for the third time in four years, while the WorldHockey Young Player of the Year 2006 award went to Christopher Zeller of Germany.
After the break, the Netherlands quickly extended their lead to three goals by converting two penalty corners.
First, Taeke Taekema sunk a low flick for his 11th goal of the tournament, nine minutes later, Roderick Weusthof launched a great flick into the roof of the goal after Taekema had laid off for him.
New Zealand in the second half had a few opportunities as well, mostly through young Simon Child who in this tournament has left no doubt that despite his young age, he definitely belongs here and is a face to remember.
Shots on goal were scarce for the remainder of the match, both teams trying but not getting far. Holland won the match deservedly, having been the more active team and having seized the initiative. New Zealand looked tired and seemed hard fought to motivate themselves for this match.
Despite losing their final match, the Kiwis will be happier with their performance in this tournament than the Netherlands as New Zealand’s 8th place finish is close enough to their 9th position in the world rankings while Holland has not finished this low in a World Cup or Olympic Games since their 7th place at the 1986 World Cup.
5-6 Playoff
England 1 defeated Pakistan 0
Goals: ENG – Martin Jones FG 67m
In the last game of this second but last day of the 2006 BDO Hockey World Cup, England and Pakistan contested fifth place.
England had slight advantages throughout the match, Pakistan not quite finding their forward drive and making their own lives difficult with to yellow cards, one for Adnan Maqsood in the first half, and one for Shakeel Abbasi in the 60th minute.
While in the first half, England could make no use of their advantage, they did use the period of being one man up in the second half wisely, pressuring the Pakistani defense relentlessly and eventually scoring.
From the very beginning of the match, both teams had had their shares of ball possession and time in attack, but both also had difficulty creating dangerous situations.
England were the more energetic and gutsy side, but the experienced Pakistanis kept them at bay.
The first half of the match passed without any goals, as did much of the second half.
As the minutes ticked down, the pace of the match increased, both teams trying to settle affairs in regulation time.
Pakistan got stronger from the middle of the second half, now working together better and exercising more pressure in attack. Just when it looked like they were about to get the upper hand however, Shakeel Abbasi had to take a disputed yellow card for a deliberate trip, and England jumped at the chance.
They first had the victory on their sticks 8 minutes from the end with a penalty corner routine that saw Richard Mantell laid the ball off to the left for Jonty Clarke who hit the ball towards the goal only to have it saved by a Pakistani defender on the goal line.
Another opportunity arose little later when England had another corner after a shoulder check on Simon Mantell in the circle. Nasir Ahmad brilliantly saved Richard Mantell’s flick to keep the score level.
A moment later, England were finally able to score, James Tindall hitting a great ball across from the far left to find Martin Jones alone in front of the goal. Almost tripping over the Pakistani goalkeeper, Jones still managed to push the ball in for the only goal of the match.
The clock ticked down with Pakistan frantically trying to get back into the match but their hectic attempts were all foiled.
England thus finish 5th in this World Cup, a very good result for them, while Pakistan have to content themselves with 6th place.
