The field of dreams turned into a field of tears for England in their World Cup campaign in Monchengladbach today (Monday). You almost had to pinch yourself to realise that for much of this match England were in the lead against the favourites, the Netherlands. Early in the match England had taken a 2-0 lead through a goal from Tindall and a Richard Mantell penalty corner conversion. But the Dutch were galvanised into action by this reverse and scored twice in two minutes, the first from Teun de Nooijer and the second from Ronald Brouwer. England went into the break at 2-2, but shortly after the restart managed to re-take the lead courtesy of a field goal from James Tindall. It was not long before the Dutch has equalised through Taeke Taekema, and with less than ten minutes left on the clock and with Martin Jones in the sin-bin, Taekema struck again from a penalty corner. Final score 4-3 to the Dutch. England are currently in fourth place in Group B and cannot now qualify for the semi-finals.In Group A, Spain have taken the top place thanks to a 3-1 victory over New Zealand. Australia have a game in hand and the fate of themselves and New Zealand may depend on the outcome of the match between themselves and New Zealand. Only Japan from this group cannot qualify for the semi finals. In group B the semi final places would seem to be a competition between leader Korea and the Dutch and the Germans.
