by Terry Maddaford
in New Delhi
In a repeat of the final four years ago in Monchengladbach, Germany and Australia, the top two nations on current FIH rankings will meet in Saturday’s World Cup final at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
It promises to be a fitting climax to the tournament with the Germans having it all to play for.
The only unbeaten team here, they are also chasing an amazing record in aiming to become the first country to win three consecutive World Cups and in so doing eclipsing Australia as the most successful team in winning 20 successive games at this level.
Last night’s semifinals were contrasting affairs.
Germany made no race of it against current European champions England -- the only team to beat Australia here but with their 3-2 opening day win now a fading memory.
A Jan-Marco Montag penalty corner after just six minutes gave the Germans the early advantage. A well-worked goal from Oliver Korn five minutes later further dented English hopes of reaching a second final and their first in 24 years and the first outside their homeland.
Their hopes did get a timely lift in the 20th minute however when Richard Smith pushed the ball under German goalkeeper Tim Jessulat for 2-1 but again hopes of a fightback were soon dashed as Martin Haner, later named as the Man of Steel as the best defender, scored from another penalty corner to hand his team a comfortable 3-1 halftime lead.
With nine minutes to play, Linus Butt scored from second phase play at a penalty corner to ensure there would be no comeback for the dispirited England players.
In converting three of their six penalty corners, Germany, led by man of the match Matthias Witthaus, always held a tight rein and gave their opponents few scoring chances.
Australia had to work harder before seeing off the Dutch in the second semifinal.
They needed 27 minutes to open the scoring when Luke Doerner dragged home his seventh goal of then tournament -- to take the lead as the top scorer.
Taeke Taekema, seeking to replace Doerner as the World Cup’s top goal-grabber, had his chance to get back on terms three minutes later but was wide with his drag flick.
Ten minutes into the second spell Glenn Turner doubled Australia’s lead with his sixth goal of the Cup. Then, with Doerner in the sin bin after arguing with match officials, the Netherlands struck.
Taekema, after missing another penalty corner, finally nailed a goal but this time with a penalty stroke after he had missed another penalty corner. The video umpire was called on before the stroke was awarded.
It was Taekema’s 20th World Cup goal and takes him into third place behind two of his countrymen Paul Litjens (26) and Ties Kruize (2w1). With Saturday’s bonze medal match against England, Taekema has the chance to move further up that table.
In yesterday’s early game, Pakistan, the top-scoring side in World Cup history, were humbled 3-2 in golden goal extra time by Canada to leave Pakistan to lick the wooden spoon.
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