Men's Hockey WC: Netherlands beat Canada, set quarters clash with India

The Netherlands set up a quarter-final clash with India after they registered a dominating 5-0 win over Canada in their crossover match in the ongoing men's Hockey World Cup here at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday.

Matching each other's skills in the initial minutes of the match, both the teams started proceeding in the game. Canada was up against the team that had scored 16 goals in the tournament but they did quite a fair job in limiting the Netherlands in the first quarter. But as the game progressed, the Dutch side acquired a more aggressive approach by making repeated attacks on the opposition goal post.

Interestingly, the Netherlands made a total of eight circle penetrations in the first quarter as compared to Canada's nil. Nevertheless, the first quarter ended with not a single goal being scored.

In the very first minute of the second quarter, Netherland scored their first goal to take a lead in the match. A rapid attack saw Glenn Schuurman in possession of the ball. He passed to Jorrit Croon who smashed it into the goal. It did not take long for the Netherlands to extend their lead as Thijs van Dam turned his marker and smacked one shot which went into the goal with a rapid speed. What a crispy strike it was. The Netherlands were leading the match 2-0.

The third quarter saw the Netherlands in possession of the ball for most of the time. They missed a penalty corner in the 37th minute of the match and their poor conversion rate of penalties continued in this match, as well. Thijs van Dam rose to the occasion again as he scored his second goal of the match. In the very next minute, Kemperman made his way into the Canadian circle and scooped a pass to Brinkman, who tapped the ball which went straight into the goal. It is 4-0 in Netherland's favour, now.

The Netherlands were in a comfortable position having gained a four-point lead in the match. In the 58th minute, star of the match Thijs van Dam came up with another smashing shot to complete his hat-trick. At the final hooter, the scoreline read 5-0 in Netherland's favour. The Netherlands became the eighth and last team to qualify for the quarter-final round of the ongoing prestigious tournament.