11th Place Playoff
India 1 defeated South Africa 0
Goals: IND – Raj Pal Singh PC 54m
The final day of the 2006 BDO Hockey World Cup started with the match for 11th place between India and South Africa. With the match starting at 8am, the teams went onto the field with the temperatures still under twenty degrees Celsius and the sky overcast.
India again fielded Bharat Chettri instead of Adrian D’Souza in goal and left Gagan Ajit Singh in the stands.
In a lacklustre match, India had the better attacks and more circle penetrations throughout the 70 minutes but once more were plagued by repeated and collective failure in front of the goal, wasting opportunity after opportunity.
If India had few shots on goal, South Africa had fewer. Struggling with scores of unforced errors, they never really got into the match, and managed no more than a handful of shots on goal in the entire match – including a lone penalty corner.
Unfortunately for South Africa, they were awarded the corner when Ian Symons was out on the bench – Symons being their number one penalty corner flicker and top scorer, author of four of the team’s total 6 goals in the tournament.
In his place, Justin Reid-Ross stepped forward to have a 102km/h semi-high flick saved by Bharat Chettri.
With South Africa hardly dangerous, a single goal in the form of a penalty corner conversion in the middle of the second half was enough for India to take the honors in this encounter and relegate the red lantern to South Africa.
They used their fifth short corner of the match in the 54th minute, managing the elusive goal when team captain Dilip Tirkey aimed for the right post where Raj Pal Singh had run up to tip the ball over the line.
Following the goal, South Africa seemed a little more energetic but India had a firm grip on the match now and had a few opportunities to extend their lead to two.
Overall, India won the match deservedly, having the better of the game.
Yet South Africa, while certainly having aspired to more, finish in a place that roughly corresponds to their world ranking and latest world level results, while India like the Netherlands have to accept their worst World Cup finish since 1986 when India ended up in last place.
By defeating South Africa, India have also won the last available berth in the 2007 Champions Challenge, to be played in Belgium in May, while South Africa will not partake in the event.
9th Place Playoff
Japan 2 defeated Argentina 1
Goals: JPN – Kazuo Yoshida PS 37m, Akira Ito FG 69m; ARG – Rodri Vila PC 56m
The day continued with the final appearances of Japan and Argentina at the BDO Hockey World Cup 2006, playing for 9th place.
The two teams both looked supremely motivated and brought forward a winsome game with quite a number of goal scoring opportunities.
Japan had advantages in the first half, playing aggressively and running much while the Argentines seemed like they weren’t awake quite yet.
In the second half, Argentina improved notably. Still it was Japan who scored the first goal shortly after halftime converting a penalty stroke.
Argentina equalized 20 minutes later but had to concede another goal with little more than a minute to go that gave the victory to the Japanese.
Japan had Argentina confined to their half for most of the first 15 minutes, and had several shots on goal while Argentina had little to offer in attack in this early phase of the match.
In stark contrast, the Argentine defense around German Orozco and Marcos Riccardi had their hands full but managed to hold the Japanese in this first half. Fernando Oscaris worked relentlessly in midfield but had difficulty connecting with the forwards.
After much fast-paced back and forth with shots on goal for both teams, they went into the break at 0:0. Argentina had improved towards the end of the first half but Japan still controlled the game quite well.
Shortly after the break, Japan won a penalty corner that led to a penalty stroke when the flick, deflected by keeper Vivaldi was stopped on the line by Argentine captain Orozco’s foot.
Kazuo Yoshida stepped up to take the stroke and coolly converted with a well-placed flick to the bottom right corner of the goal.
Argentina now tried to apply more pressure on Japan but struggled with off-target passing and ended up allowing too much room to their opponents. Still their offensive play gave them a few opportunities, one of them a penalty corner in the 56th minute.
In a good variation, the ball was laid off to the left for Matias Cammareri. Japanese goalkeeper Hirofumi Miyoshi saved his flick, but was beaten by Rodri Vila’s shot on the rebound.
Spurred on by their goal, Argentina took over the game and attacked aggressively, pushing for the winning goal.
They were unlucky time and again though, while the Japanese on a rare counter attack went all the way into the circle. The ball hit the net, Japan’s players celebrating wildly, but the umpires stopped time to confer with the video umpire.
Much to the dismay of the Argentineans, the goal was eventually awarded. The South Americans were visibly frustrated, realizing little more than a minute would not be enough to get one back and rescue themselves into extra time.
Such was their frustration that the Japanese were able to intercept the centre pass. They held the ball from there and got the result to safety, the match ending at 2:1 for Japan.
With this win, Japan finished ninth in this World Cup, a very good result for them given their status as 14th ranked team in the world and last seed in this event. The players were elated and for the first time went on a victory lap skipping and jumping, smiling and waving to the crowd rather than austerely bowing in front of the stands as usual.
Argentina obviously felt hard done by by the way they lost today’s match – through a controversial goal, and they were disappointed with today’s result and their overall finish in the tournament but have lacked the consistency to merit more.
Bronze Medal Match
Spain 3 defeated Korea 2
Goals: ESP – Edi Tubau FG 9m, Santi Freixa FG 40m, Pol Amat FG 71m; KOR – Jong Hyun Jang PC 42m, Song Ho Seo PC 60m
The second but last match at the BDO Hockey World Cup 2006 was the bronze medal match between Korea and Spain.
With their number one goalkeeper Dong Sik Ko injured, Korea started with Myung Ho Lee in goal, Lee previously having played in only one match in this tournament, the 0:0 draw with Germany in both teams’ last preliminary round match.
Spain still had to do without Albert Sala who sustained an injury in the Spaniards’ second match of the tournament and has not played since.
The Spanish dominated the beginning of the game and scored an early goal through Tubau, but after a period of initial tentativeness, Korea settled into the match and gave the Spaniards as good as they got.
The two sides provided a fast-paced and entertaining match for the well-filled stadium, both teams playing high-energy, technically excellent hockey. Spain managed their second goal shortly after the break, but just when it looked like they were about to run away with it, Korea scored their first from a penalty corner.
The Koreans added another penalty corner conversion to level the score with ten minutes to go, forcing the match to extra time. However, with a quick attack the Spaniards put away a golden goal, ending the game and snatching the bronze medal.
Spain had scored first in the ninth minute, Edi Tubau taking advantage of a great pass into the circle from Pol Amat who left no doubt to day he fully deserved his nomination for the 2006 WorldHockey Player of the Year award – setting up two of Spain’s three goals, and scoring the third himself. Tubau only had to tip the ball into an empty goal.
The Spaniards continued to have the better of the first half, creating scores of opportunities but time and again narrowly failing. Maurits Hendriks’ boys really should have added at least a goal or two before halftime but couldn’t, taking the match into halftime with only a one goal lead.
When the teams returned, Spain played a period of power hockey, putting all they had into attack and launching one shot on goal after the other.
Finally, Santi Freixa was able to make use of a pass from Pol Amat, pushing the ball over the line easily after Amat’s great groundwork.
It looked like Spain had taken control of the match for good now. Yet barely two minutes later, Korea wona penalty corner and their top scorer Jong Hyun Jang dryly put away his fifth goal of the tournament.
Korea were suddenly much stronger then before, the pace of the match increasing from fast to frantic. The Spanish could no longer dominate the game as before and had totaek a step back, allowing Korea to create a couple of good chances.
And after several attempts, the Asians were finally able to use one of their opportunities when Korea had another penalty corner. Jong Hyun Jang’s flick was well saved by Herrera but the Spanish keeper could not ward off Song Ho Seo’s shot on the rebound.
The remaining ten minuets were a bit of back and forth, both teams keen on ending the game in regulation time but playing a bit halfheartedly, not wanting to give the match away either.
The seventy minutes thus ended 2:2, Spain looking far from excited about having to go into extra time for the second time in three days.
The game restarted, and Spain went into attack from the center pass. The great ball was passed out to the far left of the circle for Pol Amat who fabulously lobbed it into the net over Lee. Golden goal for Spain after 56 seconds of extra time!
Spain finish third in the 2006 BDO Hockey World Cup, winning the bronze medal, while Korea have to content themselves with a fourth place. The Korean players still look happy as they go on a victory lap, enjoying the recognition of the thousands of spectators who have found their way into the Warsteiner Hockeyarena today.
Final
Germany 4 defeated Australia 3
Goals: GER – Christopher Zeller FG 18m FG 54m, Moritz Fuerste FG 46m, Bjoern Emmerling FG 49m; AUS – Mark Knowles PC 19m, Matt Naylor PC 25m, Troy Elder FG 38m
Germany retain their World Champion title.
In the final rollercoaster-like match of this BDO Hockey World Cup 2006, Germany were the first to score but were soon overtaken by Australia - only to put forward a fabulous comeback from a 1:3 to a 4:3 that gave them the match and the title.
The match was the best possible finish for the World Cup, a showcase piece of hockey at its best.
Germany had their first great opportunity in the 14th minute, after Sebastian Draguhn had intercepted a bad pass in the Australian midfield. Fuerste played the ball into the circle for Witthaus on the far right. Witthaus took a shot from a narrow angle but Mowlam saved.
Little later however, a fabulous piece of individual play from Young Player of the Year Christopher Zeller gave Germany the lead. Zeller ran through the middle and into the circle outplaying four Australians, then hit the ball into the net.
Barely a minute later, the Kookaburras won a penalty corner, Mark Knowles hitting the ball towards the middle of the goal. German keeper Bubolz got to the bouncy ball but it still went through under him for the equalizer.
Another minute later, Australia were awarded another penalty corner. Matt Naylor flicked hard, aiming just under the crossbar, but Bubolz saved valiantly.
Australia was now caught up in a forward drive that carried them up to and into the German circle in a minute beat. They had yet another penalty corner, another chance for Matt Naylor, and this time, he took it to give Australia the lead.
Germany gathered their bearings again, taking the match back down to the other side of the pitch and winning a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Christopher Zeller’s 115 km/h flick was saved excellently by Stephen Mowlam.
Another attack half a minute later got Germany into the circle again with a fabulous run from Christopher Zeller, laying off to Bjoern Emmerling who hit the ball towards the far post but Emmerling’s diagonal shot was wide and Carlos Nevado sliding in to tip it in from the left couldn’t get to it.
The teams went into halftime at 2:1 for Australia.
Germany came back to the game more aggressively, pushing forward from the restart. The counter attack carried Australia into the circle however. The ball bounced
A minute later, Germany had a fabulous opportunity when Stephen Mowlam saved a shot and kicked the ball out hard to the left. Carlos Nevado picked it up on the edge of the circle and launched a superb reverse stick shot but a great reaction from Mowlam denied him.
Coming back immediately, Germany won a free hit in midfield. Christopher Zeller quickly executed, hitting towards the goal for Moritz Fuerste to dive in for Germany’s second goal.
Barely a minute later, Emmerling got to the top of the circle, passing to the right. An Australian defender intercepted the ball but Moritz Fuerste dived in to push it off his stick to the left where Emmerling got to it again and put a reverse stick shot over Stephen Mowlam. Mowlam jumped into the air to get to it but could only watch the ball fall into the net behind him.
Five minutes after that, Germany finally took over the lead with a fabulous, fabulous goal from Christopher Zeller. Having picked up the ball in left midfield, Zeller produced an awesome solo run, making the Australian defense look slow and awkward.
Running past Mowlam, he pushed the ball in behind the keeper, making the 12.000 spectators go absolutely crazy.
The pressure was now on Australia to take the initiative. They pushed forward desperately but found no way through the ranks of the Germans.
With five minutes to go, the Kookaburras had a supreme chance to equalize when they were awarded a controversial penalty corner that caused much protest from the German players. Luke Doerner’s flick was deflected slightly by German keeper Bubolz and hit the left post, the opportuniy now gone.
Australia soon found themselves running out of time. They attacked desperately but were denied time and again by the ever reliable, excellent German defense.
With this spectacular win in the final, Germany hold on to their World Champion title for another four years. Olympic champions Australia take silver.
