England - Netherlands 4:3 (1:0)

Wednesday, August 8th 2007 - 18:00 in Mönchengladbach

Last Minute Victory for England

England were surprise winners against the highly favoured Dutch team in their second game of the tournament. The game was the best of the day so far. Although the Netherlands were able to dominate the game, they weren't able to take advantage of their superior ball possession and better chances. On the other hand, the English took advantage of every opportunity and had a match winner in the shape of goalkeeper George Pinner.

David Beckett (ENG) tries to pilfer Sander Baart's (NED) Ball
© hockeyfocus.de
 

Right from the beginning of the first half the Dutch team took the reins in their hands, but had no noticeable chances at goal. Out of the blue, England then were awarded a short corner, which Adam Dixon converted with a flat shot into the bottom left corner, making the score 1:0. The Dutch then increased the pressure and made some chances and short corners. The goalkeeper George Pinner was a great support to the English team during this phase, preventing the other side from taking advantage of their chances to equalise. After another Dutch corner, the ball landed in the goal, but it had been touched by a player's foot, so the goal was disallowed. The Netherlands were the better players, but England defended valiantly and held on to their lead until half time.

Klaas Vermeulen (NED)
© hockeyfocus.de
 

The Netherlands carried on where they had left off, forcing England back into their own circle. After a very good chance, it was then the English who turned the game upside down and after a lovely counter from Peter Dobson raised the score to 2:0. The Netherlands reacted with a strong attack, which finally led to a combination and a score of 2:1 from Bob De Voogd. But England hit back and Adam Dixon scored from a short corner, the score now 3:1. The game became more intense and shortly afterwards Page had to leave the field after being shown the yellow card. The Netherlands then had a number of short corners. The first two were saved by the crossbar and George Pinner, but then Mink van der Weerden equalised in the 66th minute and the score stood at 3:3. But the game wasn't over yet. England had another ace up their sleeves and David Beckett scored the 4:3 game winner.

Sjoerd de Wert (NED)
© hockeyfocus.de
 

Bobby Crutchley, the England trainer, was more than satisfied with the standard of play achieved by his team and also of course with the result. He was particularly pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his players, especially the goalkeeper.

The Dutch trainer Michel van den Heuvel criticised the number of chances wasted by his team in this very close and fast game. But his team still want to win the tournament and now have another three final games.

Peter Dobson (ENG)
© hockeyfocus.de
 

Torschützen/Scorers:
08.'   1:0   Dixon, A (PC)
40.'   2:0   Smith, R
45.'   2:1   De Voogd, B
48.'   3:1   Dixon, A (PC)
62.'   3:2   Gerretsen, S
67.'   3:3   Van der Weerden, M
69.'   4:3   Griffiths, C

Schiedsrichter/Umpires:
Vardhan Gandham H. (IND)
Grochal, M (POL)

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