Thaindian News

By Avishek Roy
New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) A second-half blitz saw the Netherlands edge past England 4-3 in a thriller and finish with the bronze at the Hockey World up here Saturday.

Down 1-3, the Netherlands made a spirited comeback in the second half to slot home three goals in 19 minutes.

The Dutch opened the scoring through their dependable playmaker Teun de Nooijer in the 22nd minute, giving the finishing touch to a pass from Robert van der Horst.

England, who largely dominated the first half, fought back with strikes from Alastair Brogdon (23rd minute) and two penalty-corner conversions from Ashley Jackson (30th, 34th).

The Netherlands hit back in the 48th minute with a penalty-corner conversion from Taeke Taekama, his eighth goal in the tournament. For the next few minutes, the Dutch gave a harrowing time to the England defence as they skilfully stepped up the attack.

Klaas Vermeulen (55th) equalised with an opportunistic goal from a goalmouth melee. And with three minutes to go, Roger Hofman sneaked one past goalkeeper James Fair for the winning goal to send the crowd into raptures.

The entire team then embraced goalkeeper Guus Vogels, who finished his career on a high with a bronze. As a mark of honour, Vogels was asked to lead the side in the last match of his career.

Vogels, who had been in an outstanding form throughout the tournament, lived up to his reputation with some brilliant saves. It was also the last World Cup appearance for veteran Netherlands midfielder and captain Nooijer.

Three times winners the Netherlands’ last World Cup bronze came in 2002 while they finished seventh in the previous edition.

It was the second best performance for the European Champions England after their runners-up finish to Australia in 1986.