The finalists for the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup were decided overnight, The Netherlands will meet Belgium playing in their first World Cup final.
The Netherlands exacted revenge for their final loss against Australia four years ago. They raced into a 2-0 lead but the World number one roared back to tie up the game at 2-2 and take it into a shoot-out. Both goalkeepers did superbly, but in the end Pirmin Blaak came out on top, and the Netherlands were into their seventh World Cup Final.
In the other semi-Final England were destroyed by Belgium who simply did not put a foot wrong in a 6-0 victory. Have they peaked too early? Or have they hit form at the right time?
England face Australia in the bronze medal match. They will hope to go one better than the previous two tournaments where they finished fourth, While Australia will be determined to bounce back and finish with a medal.
As a side note, if the Dutch do win Gold Max Caldas will join Roelant Oltmans and Ric Charlesworth as a coach who has lifted the World Cup with both their national Women’s teams and Men’s teams.
The World Cup in 90 Seconds for sports fans who like their sport in bitesize pieces
