Germany stun England to seal Hockey WC semi-final spot

Bhubaneswar: Germany registered a thrilling 4-3 win over England in shootout ater playing 2-2 draw in the regulation time of the third quarterfinal to seal the semi-final spot at the FIH Mens Hockey World Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

Germany, who had won 7 out of the 9 shootouts over the past 4 years, were perfect in the shoot-out, scoring all 4 of their atempts. David Goodfield missed England’s third atempt and Danneberg, who was in the goal instead of Stadler for the shoot-outs, saved the final English atempt by Ansell to give the Honamas a famous win.

It will be Germany’s first semi-final appearance at the World Cup since 2010 and they will face Australia on Jan.27.

Honamas were quicker off the blocks in the first quarter dominating possession and territory in the English half. They created the first big chance of the game as Mats Grambusch’s good work on the let saw Zwicker deflect his pass into the circle, onto the path of Trompertz, but his shot on the reverse sailed high and wide of the goal.

As the time moved forward, England started to find their rhythm and a free hit just outside the circle was played into the circle by Calnan and his pass in was lited by Rushmere and at the end of his 3d skill move, the ball fell in the air to Zach Wallace and his volleyed effort found the back of the goal to open the scoring for the English.

Germany were measured in their atack in the second quarter, as the threat England possessed on the counteratack was evident. Zach Wallace nearly doubled England’s lead in the 21st minute on one such counter as he beat two defenders at the top of the circle with silky touches, before unleashing a shot, but his shot hit teammate Ansell’s foot before it could reach Stadler in the goal.

Germany won two late penalty corners in the quarter, but their first was a variation that was well read and intercepted by Albery and the second, taken by Peillat, was stopped and kicked out rather easily by the in-form Ollie Payne.

Germany were down to 10 players early in the third quarter as Oruz was given a green card for a deliberate foul to stop an English counter atack.

England made good use of the player advantage to win three quick penalty corners and they doubled their lead on the third atempt as a misplaced injection by Condon forced Ansell to improvise with a flat hit and he placed it into the botom let corner to perfection.