Hockey World Cup Semifinals Highlights: Belgium beat Netherlands, Germany beat Australia 4-3 – Defending champions Belgium marched into the final. They defeated Netherlands 3-2 in the shptout in the semifinal. Netherlands are leading 2-1 vs Belgium. Earlier, Germany has booked a spot in the final of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023. Germany has won the semifinal 4-3. Follow Hockey World Cup LIVE Updates With InsideSport.IN.
Hockey WC Semifinals Results:
- Australia LOST TO Germany 3-4
- Belgium BEAT Netherlands 3-2 (SHOOT-OUT)
Germany pulled off another incredible comeback in the final quarter to thwart Australia, while Belgium got the better of Netherlands in the shoot-outs again, to set up a fascinating finals at the #HWC2023.
Australia and Netherlands will play for the bronze.
Full match report 👇
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) January 27, 2023
Australia vs Germany Highlights: In the first semifinals, Germany stunned Australia 4-3 with some late goals. Peillat scored from penalty corners in the 43rd, 52nd and 59th minutes. Niklas Wellen (60th) struck with just a few seconds left in the match to stun the Australians who squandered a 2-0 half time lead.
Jeremy Hayward (12th), Nathan Ephraums (27th) and Blake Govers (58th) scored for Australia who will now play for the bronze medal on Sunday.
This was two-time champions Germany’s first final entry after the 2010 edition in New Delhi where they had finished runners-up. They had won the silver medal in 1982 also before winning titles in 2002 and 2006.
Australia were leading 2-0 till the 42nd minute and it looked like they would run away with the match. But the three drag-flick goals from Peillat changed the complexion of the game.
Hockey World Cup Semifinals Highlights: Belgium defeat Netherlands in shoot-out, Germany beat Australia 4-3, Follow Hockey WC Highlights
Belgium vs Netherlands Highlights: Defending champion Belgium overpowered Netherlands 3-2 in the penalty shootout. Regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw in the semi-finals. With the win, Belgium have set up a championship showdown with Germany on Sunday.
Netherlands took an early lead from a penalty corner. Jip Janssen converted the penalty corner to put the Dutch side in the lead in 11th minute. With both sides keeping possession, Belgium finally managed a goal from the penalty corner in the 28th minute. In the absence of Alex Hendrickx, Tom Boon who stepped up to give Belgium the lead.
In the first minute of the second half, Koen Bijen had a wonderful opportunity to score after making a clear run at the goal from the right side with only Vanasch to beat. However, the seasoned Belgian goalkeeper stopped his shot to maintain the scores equal for the reigning champions.
A minute later, the Netherlands won two consecutive penalty corners, and Janssen reclaimed the lead with his second goal of the match, this time going to Vanasch’s left. Up until that moment, Blaak had been the busier of the two keepers, but Blaak was forced into action near the end of the third quarter when Denayer got two shots from the left and Boon added two more a minute later from a penalty corner and a rapid counter. However, Blaak halted all four of them.
A Dutch stick deflected the ball high in the circle with 30 seconds remaining in the first, falling to Nicolas de Kerpel, who slammed his shot past the Dutch goalie to tie the score at that key moment for the Red Lions.
Vanasch, who had also been excellent in the game, shone in the shoot-outs, pressuring Netherlands into 3 misses from their 5 takes, earning his side a 3-2 victory. The Belgians were clinical in the shoot-outs, scoring 3 of their first 4 attempts despite the best efforts of the in-form Dutch keeper Blaak.
Hockey World Cup Semifinals Highlights: Belgium defeat Netherlands in shoot-out, Germany beat Australia 4-3, Follow Hockey WC Highlights
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