TIMO Boers lifted the Netherlands to a 5-3 victory over Belgium in the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup Group D match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
The win catapulted the Dutch to second place behind Pakistan in Pool D of the standings. Both teams tied on four points each, followed by Belgium (3) and New Zealand (0).
After an initial rally when both teams went on the offensive, it was the Dutch who struck the first penalty corner, and Man of the Match, Timo Boers, put them ahead in the ninth minute.
However, their joy was short-lived as Hugo Labouchere restored parity for Belgium with a field goal in the 10th minute, and Maximilian Langer extended the lead to 2-1 two minutes later.
But the Young Red, ranked No 5 in the FIH Junior World Rankings, were stunned as quickly as they rejoiced when Casper van de Veen equalised in the 18th minute with a field goal, as the score stood at 2-2 in the first half.
Upon resumption, fans witnessed another round of yo-yo between both teams.
Hugo scored his second goal for Belgium via a penalty stroke in the 35th minute, but Lucas Veen defused the Belgium celebration with a 40th-minute penalty corner conversion as the score stood at 3-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Dutch, however, had victory in sight when team captain Menno Boeren scored from a penalty corner in the 53rd minute to go 4-3 up, and Timo converted a penalty stroke – his second goal – in the last few seconds of regulation time for a 5-3 win.
Jeroen Baart, Belgium coach, said: “We expected a very tough game, and both teams played good hockey. Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but it’s part of top hockey. I am proud of my boys. It was a difficult start in the first quarter, and we managed to find our way back to take the lead, but the Netherlands had more chances and scored.
I really believe we have all possibilities in our own hand to play a good game against Pakistan next. I am looking forward to that. The players were disappointed with their defeat. I told them to lift their heads and look into my eyes. They should be proud. We gave everything we had. No regrets. In the end, it’s just a game.”
Jesse Mahieu, The Netherlands coach, said: “Every time we play Belgium, it’s tough as this. I believe my players played well to come back from 2-1 down and fight until the final hooter, and we won 5-3. There was never an easy moment on the field. The goals just kept coming from both sides. In total, eight goals were scored tonight.
We play New Zealand in our last pool match and respect every team. There is still an opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals, and we have to play our best and score many goals too.”
Meanwhile, Spain overpowered 2016 champions India 4-1 in the JWC Pool in the later game tonight, to consolidate their position at the top of the table standings.
The Spaniards, who finished in 4th place at the Euro Hockey Junior championships 2022, scored through Pol Cabre Verdiell’s brace in the first and 41st minutes via field and a penalty corner conversion, while team captain Andreas Rafi added the third goal in the 18th minute via penalty corner.
The Indians, who found themselves in early trouble, pulled a goal back through Rohit in the 33rd minute but Spain went 4-1 up from Rafi field goal. India’s coach C.K. Kumar said the absence of drag-flick specialist Shardanand Tiwari who is down with typhoid, made some difference in the team’s progress here.
C.R. Kumar, India’s coach, said: “We conceded the early goal and that put pressure on us. We had many penalty corners but did not convert them in the third and fourth quarters. Spain’s defenders and goalkeeper defended very well and we could not put the ball through into the goal.
Now we have to look into the next game against Canada and move for a good win that will put us second in the pool standings, which can give us the opportunity to play in the quarterfinals. Fortunately, we are playing the last game after the Spain-Korea match and we know where we stand and what needs to be done.” ”
Oriol Torras Puig, Spain coach, said: “That was a very good match for both teams. A lot of intensity. The most important thing in the match is we had two goals from penalty corners. We are very happy with our performance and will relax tomorrow. We have one day’s rest to plan for our match against Korea on Saturday.
Results – Netherlands 5 Belgium 3; Spain 4 India 1
