Welcome to Sportstar’s LIVE Coverage of the Hockey World Cup 2023 - Day 12 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
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Dominant Belgium ends New Zealand hopes, advances to semifinals (REPORT)
Australia pulls of a stunning comeback to beat Spain 4-3 in quarterfinals (REPORT)
BELGIUM DEFEATS NEW ZEALAND 2-0 (Match 30)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH- FELIX DENAYER
FOURTH QUARTER
- NZ gets a penalty corner after Findlay is tackled. Kane Russell and Sam Hiha fails to score even via rebound. BELGIUM THROUGH TO THE SEMIFINALS!
- One minute left. Will NZ be able to score twice and equalise?
- Belgium playing deep to restrict NZ from scoring or attempting to score.
- New Zealand asks for a dangerous ball inside the Belgian D. However, since passed to Vanasch by a Belgian player, it is not a dangerous ball.
- Five minutes to go and New Zealand attempts to high press.
- Arthur van Doren clashes with NZ ‘keeper Hayward after Doren rushes into the D with pace and runs into the opposition keeper while accelerating to shoot a goal. Hayward falls down on his head.
- NZ captain Nic Woods gets yellow card for his rough tackle and push and will be away from the field for five minutes
- Arthur de Sloover gets a green card and NZ gets a PC. However, Simon Child, who’s unable to connect near the post as the ball rolls outside the backline.
- Belgium’s star drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx, who’s injured is seen in the crowd cheering for his team.
THIRD QUARTER
- WITH ONE MINUTE TO GO. Belgium are busy exchanging passes. Charlier tries to hoodwink Hayward and move to the side, but fails to make it count.
- Nick Ross gets a green card, NZ down to 10 players. And Belgium loses the chance to make use of the opportunity.
- It’s Hayward who’s come in for Dixon.
- Nick Ross defends the Belgian attack. Belgium is seen to be attacking more from the left side with over 60%.
Leon Hayward - The NZ chartered accountant who knocked India out of the Hockey World Cup
SECOND QUARTER
- Sam Lane earns the first PENALTY CORNER FOR NZ. Vincent Vanasch saves very quick as Russell waits for noone to flick the ball.
- Penalty corner for Belgium! Dixon saves twice off rebound from John-John Dohmen.
- Nick Ross tries to get one into the Belgium circle, but the ball goes out of hand and crosses the back line.
- Hiha gets the ball stolen from him as Belgium takes the ball possession.
- NZ players take the ball off Charlier’s stick as the Belgium attacker was in midst of two Kiwis.
- Florent van Aubel scores as he pushes the moving ball as Dixon moves the wrong way AND BELGIUM EXTENDS THE LEAD 2-0
FIRST QUARTER
- Simon Child catches an aerial ball and tries to score, between Vanasch’s legs. However, the Belgian goalkeeper closes his leg, failing the Kiwi attempt.
- BELGIUM SCORES OFF PENALTY CORNER AS TOM BOON FLICKS THE BALL BETWEEN THE ‘KEEPER DIXON AND DEFENDER. Belgium leads 1-0
- Dixon saves one off Tom Boon, who tries to score.
- Belgians move from the right flank to the left and try to attack.
- Defending champions Belgium will miss Alexander Hendrickx, their star drag-flicker, who will miss the remaining World Cup matches due to a right knee injury. Maxime Van Oost will be the replacement, approved by FIH.
- The two teams are on the field and singing their anthems.
WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME THE TWO TEAMS FACED EACH OTHER?
Belgium defeated New Zealand 3-1 in the 2020-21 FIH Hockey Pro League (M).
STARTING XI
Hockey World Cup: Experienced Belgium takes on high-flying New Zealand (Uthra Ganesan)
Reigning world and Olympic champion Belgium, looking to book a World Cup semifinal spot for the second consecutive time, would be wary of a revitalised New Zealand when they play their quarterfinal on Tuesday, despite recent form and history both in its favour. Then again, the team would have seen how these meant little in the Black Sitcks’ crossover game against India.
New Zealand, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, will be riding high after its sudden death win against the host. It will take confidence from a gritty performance and the form of its senior players and hope to continue the momentum. It is easier said than done, of course, especially with Belgium being in imperious scoring form and hitting its stride in the pool matches with a 7-1 demolition of Japan in its last outing.
Experienced Tom Boon, without a goal in the opening two games, came to the party against Japan as Belgium finally showed signs of the dominance that made it the world’s top team over the past few years to top Pool C, ahead of fellow European powerhouse Germany.
It might be the oldest side in the fray with coach Michel van den Heuvel retaining most of the players from the past edition – 11 of its squad is over 30 – but it is the most experienced, with 11 having more than 200 caps. Combining experience with form and fitness is something the Belgians have done expertly and they will be keen to prove that experience was not, in fact, overrated.
The team, however, will be concerned about the availability of its penalty corner expert Alexander Hendrickx, who twisted his knee against Japan. While he seems to have gotten better the team management will take a a call on his continuation,on the morning of the game.
For New Zealand, veterans Simon Child and Nick Ross have been the backbone of their fightback, after struggling to find rhythm in its early matches with just one win in the pool stages. The duo has combined effortlessly with younger players Sean Findlay, Sam Lane and Sam Hiha to keep pressure on the opposition. The team, however, was equally helped by an erratic India in the crossover game and handed open spaces and scoring chances on a platter, something they can’t count on against the Belgians.
New Zealand would be relying on its ability to capitalise on key moments and counterattacks, something coach Greg Nicol has been insisting on all through, to reach its maiden semifinal.
AUSTRALIA DEFEATES SPAIN 4-3 (Match 29)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH- ANDREW CHARTER
FOURTH QUARTER
- SPAIN IS UNABLE TO SCORE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER AND AUSTRALIA MOVES INTO THE SEMIFINAL!
- ONE MINUTE LEFT! Amat takes the ball, however, Australia intercepts and counter-attacks as Wickham tries to score but Rafi blocks his angle making him hit wide.
- Penalty stroke for Spain and Miralles takes it. CHARTER MOVES TO HIS LEFT AND SAVES THE BALL!
- With four minutes left, Sharp picks up a green card, who will be out of the field for two minutes
- Mishandling of the ball possession by the Australians is a sight that’s seen quite often today.
- Gonzalez leads Spain’s counter-attack. However, ends up with a free hit to Spain outside the circle.
- Australia charges to the circle, however, Ogilvie fails to connect with his teammates and the ball goes Spain’s way.
THIRD QUARTER
- Clapes gets a green card as Spain will be down to 10 players for two minutes.
- A bad tackle in the circle and Spain gets consecutive PCs. Spain’s captain Miralles finally scores one off a penalty corner as it hits Charter’s right pad and the ball enters his left corner. Australia 4-3 Spain.
- Aussies charge forward, Whetton hits one into the goal. However, the referee claims it to be a back stick as referred by Spain.
- Second PC for Spain, Miralles tries to flick it yet again and Charter saves yet again.
- First PC for Spain as a dangerous ball is caught by Sharp in the Spanish D. Miralles tries to flick by changing his position, but Charter saves it.
- HAYWARD SCORES YET AGAIN AFTER A PENALTY CORNER. THE AUSSIES LEADS 4-2. IT’S FOUR FOALS IN SEVEN MINUTES!
- Ball touches Vizcaino’s foot and Australia keeps its video referral and gets a PC!
- HAYWARD FLICKS AND AUSTRALIA SCORES FINALLY OFF A PENALTY CORNER AS IT MOVES TO RIGHT OF THE ‘KEEPER RAFI, WHO WAS DECEIVED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BALL!
- Australia keeps its referral as the tackle made by the Spanish player and earn a PC.
- EQUALISER FOR AUSTRALIA! WITHIN THE FIRST FORTY SECONDS OF THE SECOND HALF, SKIPPER ARAN ZALEWSKI SCORES FOR THE KOOKABURRAS.
- Tim Brand starts it off for the Aussies, who are desperate for a equalising goal.
SECOND QUARTER
- With five seconds remaining, Dawson passes to Flynn Ogilvie, who deceives the ‘keeper Rafi into believing a deflection is on line and scores Australia’s first goal of the match 2-1. Spain leads at half-time.
- Gonzalez charges into the circle with Lacalle missing a chance to deflect.
- Spain is two goals up, a score that the Australian team doesn’t want to continue.
- UNBELIEVEABLE! SPAIN SCORES ITS SECOND GOAL AS MARC RECASENS DEFLECTS THE BALL INTO THE FAR POST AWAY FROM CHARTER. SPAIN LEADS 2-0
- Another PC for Australia. But will it be converted? This is Australia’s fourth time. And Govers misses it again, something we have seen happening quite often today.
- FIVE MINUTES DOWN IN THE SECOND QUARTER AND SPAIN SCORES ITS FIRST GOAL. GISPERT SCORES IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE CIRCLE WITH AN ANGULAR SWEEP. SPAIN 1-0 AUSTRALIA
FIRST QUARTER
- Grover fails to score yet again, Howard gets the ball on rebound but makes a mistake and hits it in the air as the two teams are equal after the first quarter.
- Another PC for Aussie as Ockenden hits one on a Spanish defender.
- Hayward shoots it directly to Rafi, who gets it to Miralles who further passes on but Amat, who was inside the Aussie circle is unable to score and Spain miss their chance to make use of their counter-attack.
- With two minutes remaining for the quarter to end, Australia earns another PC
- Spain attackers are forced to stay at the back due to the Aussie defence.
- Blake Grover misses an excellent conversion opportunity as he flicks one directly to Spain’s ‘keeper Rafil, who saves it with utmost ease. The rebound also fails as the Spanish defenders take the ball.
- Ockenden gets a Penalty Corner as he hits the ball on Alonso’s foot inside the Spanish circle.
- Spain takes ball possession first and tries to enter the Australian D, but is intercepted before the penetration.
- National anthems of the two teams are being played as the teams stand.
- Three-time champions Australia will take on two-time runner up Spain.
WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME THE TWO TEAMS FACED EACH OTHER?
Australia thrashed Spain 5-1 in the 2022 Test match.
STARTING XI
MATCHES PLAYED TODAY
AN INJURY UPDATE: BELGIUM’S ALEXANDER HENDRICKX TO MISS REMAINING HOCKEY WORLD CUP 2023 MATCHES DUE TO AN INJURY (Read More)
Hockey World Cup: Australia favourites against Spain in quarterfinal match (Aashin Prasad)
Australia, considered among the favourites for the title, has had a strong run in the World Cup thus far. The Kookaburras topped a relatively comfortable pool by scoring 20 goals while letting in five in return.
Ahead of their quarterfinal against Spain at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday, one parameter which will put them ahead of the contenders is their exceptional penalty corner conversion rate.
Australia has scored seven goals from 20 penalty corners – most in the tournament – and has two powerful drag-flickers in Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers. Hayward has struck four times, while Govers and Daniel Beale have one apiece. Spain, which has conceded nine penalty corners, will be wary of giving away easy fouls inside the area. The Aussies also have goal threats across the line with Tom Craig scoring four.
At the other end, Spain has scored from one of its 14 penalty corner attempts in four matches. The European nation has also scored the least number of goals (7) among the quarterfinalists. Head coach Max Caldas felt his team should have completed the job in regulation time in what turned out to be a penalty shootout win over Malaysia in the crossovers.
The team is overreliant on midfielder Marc Miralles to produce some spark in attack, while the young attackers showed glimpses of their technical quality in the last game.
Spain prefers to play the possession game, and it may not find much joy against Australia, which is comfortable playing both with the ball and playing a more direct game. The inexperienced Spanish team was toyed with by England in the pool stage and will not want a repeat of the same or much worse.
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