Champions Trophy: Netherlands down Germany

Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: The Netherlands produced a performance of speed and precision to outdo Germany 4-1 in Pool B of the Hockey Champions Trophy here Sunday.

The Dutch were in cruise control by half-time, building a 3-0 lead. Constantijn Jonker got the first goal of the match with a reverse stick finish from the top of the circle after Robbert Kemperman’s exquisite through-ball on 11 minutes.

Germany had their chances in the second quarter, notably from Jonas Gomoll’s trickery while Mats Grambusch drew the best from the Dutch goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann. 

Moritz Furste saved a corner flick on the line but the Oranje were 2-0 ahead when Diede van Puffelen scored his second goal in two games from close range from a left-wing attack.

Rogier Hofman’s thunderous shot made it 3-0 at half-time and that is how it remained through the third period as Stockmann made another great stop to keep his clean sheet in tact. 

And it was 4-0 with nine minutes left when Jeroen Herzberger finished off a pacy attack, touching in Seve van Ass’s backhand cross.

Florian Fuchs pulled one back in impudent fashion with five minutes left but it proved a mere consolation. It secured a second successive win for the Dutch who lead Pool B with six points.