Fourth-ranked Netherlands’ organised effort helped it post an emphatic 5-1 win over Pakistan in its last Pool D match and secure a place in the crossovers of the 2018 Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Earlier, Germany recorded a hard-fought 5-3 win over Malaysia to finish as the top-ranked side in the pool with nine points and take a berth in the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands was second with six points. Pakistan, which was tied with Malaysia on one point, also got through to the crossovers on a better goal difference.
The Dutch team will face Canada while Pakistan will square off against Belgium in the crossovers on Tuesday.
The Netherlands relied on its fine distribution to enter the Pakistan circle frequently and jump to an early lead. An excellent move from the right by Thijs van Dam was finished well by an unmarked Thierry Brinkman.
Pakistan, ranked 13th in the world, replied quickly by winning three successive short corners. The third one yielded an equaliser as Umar Bhutta found the mark from close.
The Green Shirts challenged the Dutch while searching for more chances, but the Netherlands showed better coordination to keep the pressure on its opponent. One attempt surprised the gritty Pakistan defence as Valentin Verga shot from the top of the circle following a witty build-up before half-time.
The Oranje Machine struck again in the penultimate period when Jeroen Hertzberger, who received an aerial ball, passed it on to Bob de Voogd to widen the lead.
Jorrit Croon and Mink van der Weerden’s goals pleased the Netherlands while Pakistan tried in vain to catch up with the Dutch in the final quarter.
Germany, leading 4-3 after the third quarter, managed to thwart a spirited Malaysia, which got a couple of bookings but earned a penalty corner in the fourth period.
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