Dutch reach hockey World Cup final
Netherlands beat England 1-0 courtesy a first-half penalty corner and have a chance to win their fourth title.
The Netherlands have reached the field hockey World Cup final by beating England 1-0 on a first-half penalty corner.
The Dutch men emulated their women in reaching the final. The men, playing their first World Cup final since winning their third and last title on home soil 16 years ago, will meet defending champion Australia or Argentina on Sunday.
The Dutch dominated England, especially in the first half, when Mink van der Weerden showed why he’s considered the best penalty corner specialist in the world with a score four minutes from halftime, high into the right corner.
Half a dozen good chances were missed to put the game away, notably at 43 minutes when Rogier Hofman hit the post.
With the score close, England began to threaten in the final 15 minutes. With a late penalty corner, drag flick specialist Ashley Jackson’s shot was blocked just as it left his stick in a daring charge by Dutch defender Sander de Wijn.