All to play for on day ten, the last of the group matches. Four teams had a realistic chance of reaching the semi-finals, the top of the group to play England and the second, Australia.
Compared with other days, the only noise in the stadium is from the players and their supporters, plus the local children who are the mascots, competing with each other to shout the loudest for their nominated team. At the end of the day all is decided. England will play Germany in the first semi-final and The Netherlands will take on Australia in the second.
Germany started well in their encounter with New Zealand. A quarter of an hour into the game and a lovely cross from the 18-year old Florian Fuchs was met by the diving Christoph Menke. It was Fuchs himself who scored the second for Germany, following up the rebound from a penalty corner. New Zealand had an odd chance or two but were unable to put any real pressure on a well-organised German defence.
One third of the way through the second half and Germany increased their lead when a fierce hit into the circle from Benjamin Wess was deflected into the top of the net by Philip Witte. 3-0 and it looked all over. However, New Zealand earned their second penalty corner half way through the half and Shea McAleese, following up the initial shot, put New Zealand on the scoresheet. Three minutes later a German defender was dispossessed, the ball passed to Nicholas Wilson and he calmly went around the keeper to make it 3-2.
However, two goals in two minutes from Moritz Furste and Matthias Witthaus at penalty corners put Germany back in charge. 5-2 the final score and Germany through to the semi-finals.
The Netherlands, needing to win or draw to be certain of top spot and a semi-final match against England, started well when Ronald Brouwer put the ball in the net in the first minute of the game. At the other end Guus Vogels kept out a Korean attack mid-way through the half before Teun de Nooijer had a chance well saved by the Korean keeper. Four minutes from the mid-point and Korea won a penalty corner and Hyun Woo Nam drag-flicked it home to equalise for Korea and score his fourth goal of the competition.
Korea were quickly into their stride in the second half and the Dutch were lucky to clear the ball off the line. The ball was then going from end to end with neither side making much penetration until Korea broke free and Eun Seong Hong suddenly found himself unmarked but he fluffed his shot. However, a few minutes later and Korea did not miss when Sung Hoon Yoon raced away and despite Vogels desperate attempt to cut off the pass the ball eventually fell to captain Jong Ho Seo to score and take the lead.
As The Netherlands pushed forward it was Korea who nearly added to their lead. But five minutes from time Geert-Jan Derikx had a golden opportunity to level the match but after a one-two with de Nooijer he missed the open goal. The Dutch were awarded a penalty stroke but after a referral it was changed to a free hit to Korea. They had a chance right at the death to square it but Taeke Taekema put his penalty corner shot wide. Judging by his reaction he is not looking forward to playing Australia on Thursday.
In the last two major tournaments England have drawn, won and lost to Germany, the most notable being their 5-3 win in the European final. Whoever they played they still have to beat them all, but perhaps England will be hoping the Dutch can do them a favour and beat Australia and make it an all European affair.
Summary of results on the last day of Pool matches:
Germany 5 New Zealand 2
Netherlands 1 Korea 2
Canada 2 Argentina 4
Final pool standings can be found on our web site at www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk.
ENGLAND PLAY GERMANY IN THE SEMI FINAL ON THURSDAY
