In the first match of the 2009 Men's Champions Trophy here in Melbourne England went down 3-2 to Germany. Alastair Wilson, absent because of sickness, was sorely missed at the back.
England started brightly and two minutes into the game a great ball up the line to Jonty Clarke and a good run and cross by him was met by Barry Middleton sliding in. But the ball went agonisingly just past the post.
England failed to capitalize on this momentum when they kept giving the ball away to Germany. Some sloppy defending was lucky not to be punished.
On eight minutes England were awarded their first penalty corner following a run by Ashley Jackson and a quickly taken free hit from which the Germans were slow to retreat. Jackson's shot was blocked but Richard Mantell didn't realize he had plenty of time in the follow up and blasted the ball wildly high.
England continued to look slow at the back and when they missed the ball in the circle Christoph Menke made no mistake in putting the ball past a helpless James Fair. 1-0 to Germany on ten minutes.
Five minutes later though a well worked move around the circle and England earned their second penalty corner. Everyone thought they had completely messed it up when the ball came to Jackson but his reverse hit was deflected in by James Tindall to put the scores level.
There followed a period of end to end hockey with neither side penetrating the goal until a total lapse in marking left Menke again with the ball in the circle. Fortunately the angle this time was too sharp for him and he put it wide. The game then went through another quiet period before the Germans earned one penalty corner after another but the shot was put wide. Witthaus following in was injured and was still off when the hooter went for half time.
Two minutes into the second half and the umpire awarded England a penalty stroke. The German captain used the video referral system and the stroke was overturned to a German free hit. Another two minutes later and the boot was on the other foot. Germany were awarded a penalty corner when Ashley Jackson was deemed to have stopped the ball over shoulder height in the twenty five and captain Middleton asked for a referral. The video showed Jackson stopping the ball outside the twenty five. Germany were awarded a free hit but Jackson was then given a yellow card presumably for a deliberate foul.
Finally, seven minutes into the second half, Germany were awarded another penalty corner which was converted by Jan-Marco Montag. 2-1 Germany.
England had a number of chances. Richard Alexander's good work driving into the circle earned a penalty corner but it was again cleared by the Germans. Jackson's superb pass to Alastair Brogdon and his run along the back line, earned England another penalty corner and this time Adam Dixon was the shot taker who earned a great save from Max Weinhold in the German goal.
England continued to push and Jackson's play brought about the second penalty stroke when his shot hit a player on the line. This time it was not disputed by the Germans and Jackson converted the stroke very easily low and right of the keeper. 2-2
This goal picked up the tempo a little and Germany pushed forward to get the winner. Three penalty corners in quick succession but England kept them out, Fair having to make some super saves. However, with three minutes to go Germany won their seventh corner and their captain Muller's powerful shot went past Fair into the back of the net to make the final score 3-2 to Germany.
Coach Jason Lee said afterwards that this was another tournament on the way to the World Cup. Asked how he felt about the result he said "we didn't play well enough to get anything from the game".
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Hosts Australia won convincingly 4-0 against Korea in the second match of the tournament with fields goals from Des Abbott, Robbie Hammond, Jamie Dwyer and Eddie Ockenden. Korea did their very best to score and nearly had a consolation goal right at the end, but Matthew Butturini saved the weak shot off the line. A sunny but windy day turned to rain in the second half of this match which was unfortunate as many people left without staying to watch the last game of the day.
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In the final game of the day the Netherlands took the lead against Spain after 15 minutes with a goal from their talisman penalty corner scorer, Taeke Taekema. With that goal, Taekema became the highest goal scorer in Champions Trophy history, overtaking Sohail Abbas of Pakistan. Captain Teun de Nooijer added to the score just a minute later when he slid in unmarked from a cross from the left by Rogier Hofman.
In the second half Taekema made it 3-0 with the Netherlands third penalty corner. The video referral system was once more brought into play when the Netherlands disputed a penalty corner given against Taekema. Once again the umpire's decision was overturned when a free hit was given to them. Three out of three to the players.
Spain's Pol Amat scored what may well turn out to be the goal of the tournament when he beat Jaap Stockmann at the near post with a reverse stick shot with twelve minutes to go. 3-1. Two minutes later Spain pulled back to 3-2 when Xavier Ribas finally scored from a switched penalty corner. The Netherlands had a chance to make it safe when they were awarded another penalty corner with four minutes to go, but Taekema's shot went wide. Spain pushed forward for the equaliser, but the Netherlands held out to win 3-2. Spain are England's next opponents on Sunday afternoon.
