Day 5 at the Samsung Champions Trophy in Malaysia was full of surprises as Great Britain booked a convincing win against Pakistan, Spain defeated Australia, and Malaysia only caved in to Korea in the last minutes of the match. In the fourth match of the day, old European rivals Germany and the Netherlands split points in a highly exciting encounter.
Great Britain and Pakistan started off the day with the first big surprise. Pakistan had played better prior to today┬┤s match, while Great Britain had been struggling to put together attractive hockey. Today however, it was all different - the first few minutes, Pakistan pressured and seemed to be taking control, but three goals within ten minutes put the Brits on the path to victory.
After the break, Pakistan finally found their feet and played aggressively, scoring in the 49th minute from a penalty corner, but a minute later, play was suspended for rain, and when the teams got back an hour later, Pakistan had completely lost the momentum they had been able to build coming back after half-time. They conceded a fourth goal and picked up two yellow cards late in the match. Britain celebrated the unexpected win elatedly, the defeat effectively ending Pakistan┬┤s bid for the final, while Great Britain take a step towards the bronze medal match.
In a day of entertaining matches, old European rivals Germany and the Netherlands got onto the field next to provide a cracking see-saw of a match. Taeke Taekema first brought Holland one up, sinking a penalty corner, but Florian Keller replied soon after with the equalizer, also from a penalty corner. A high-speed up-and-down followed, both teams having their opportunities but the Dutch looking a tad bit more dangerous. They were rewarded with two minutes to go before the break, and Rogier Hofman beat German goalkeeper Max Weinhold to launch a reverse stick shot and give his team the half-time advantage.
The second half continued at a staggering pace, and with the two teams equal opponents. Jambo Montag managed the equalizer in the 56th minute, and Florian Keller added his second goal of the day two minutes later to give Germany the lead for the first time in the match, but Rob Reckers tied the score again in the 64th minute with a great shot from the top of the circle. The teams thus split points, despite slight advantages for the Dutch. While today┬┤s point in all probability puts Germany through to the final, today┬┤s missed victory may well come back to haunt the Dutch, making their bid for the final that much more difficult.
On pitch 2 today, Australia took on Spain. With the Kookaburras having collected 3 victories from 4 matches, while Spain had picked up a measly two points from two draws and two defeats, one might have assumed that it would be a clear thing, but Spain showed from the beginning they are never to be underestimated.
A tenth minute penalty corner goal from Edi Tubau brought them the advantage, and they added a second goal before the break when unlucky Aaron Hopkins deflected a ball from Santi Freixa across the face of the goal into the net. Australia were rarely dangerous, and could not capitalize on any of the few opportunities they had, including nine penalty corners today, of which they converted a single one.
That second half Luke Doerner penalty corner goal gave the Aussies hope, and one player up after a yellow card for Rodri Garza, they attacked for all they were worth. But instead of the equalizer, it was another goal for Spain as Santi Freixa finished off a fast counterattack, tipping the ball over the line. For the remaining fifteen minutes, Australia desperately attacked, and with two minutes to go, they scored a second goal through Nathan Eglington, but eventually ran out of time.
This defeat seriously hurts Australia┬┤s bid for the final, while their first three points put Spain on the way to at least avoid the 7th/8th place play-off.
In the final match of the day, the Malaysian hosts took on Korea, and once more proved that despite their low ranking, they are not easy prey in this tournament. After an early penalty corner goal from Jong Hyun Jang, reclaiming the solitary topscorer position, put Korea ahead, Malaysia stunned them with goals from Selveraju Sandrakasi and Azlan Misron, taking the lead against the much higher ranked Koreans.
One goal behind, Korea put serious pressure on their opponents and attacked relentlessly, but the Malaysians put forward that same unconcerned, fresh game that has earned them so much praise in this event so far, and managed to keep Korea at bay for long stretches of time. In the 53rd minute, Korea was able to level the scores through Dae Keun Oh, but it still looked like Malaysia were going to be able to pick up their second point of the tournament.
Holding on until the 69th minute, they then had to accept the winning goal from Hyo Sik You. The win consolidates Korea┬┤s good position to reach the final, while Malaysia were understandably disappointed as their grand performance today really should have yielded a point.
With two rounds of pool play remaining, Germany still top the table, three points clear of Korea, with Australia and the Netherlands following close behind. Great Britain, Spain, Pakistan and Malaysia are in the bottom half of the table.
The Samsung Champions Trophy Kuala Lumpur 2007 continues tomorrow when Australia meet the Netherlands, Pakistan take on Korea, Spain lock horns with Great Britain, and Malaysia conclude the day with their match against Germany.
